Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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The San Francisco Examiner; April 22, 1998
Lisa M. Krieger of the Examiner Staff
"I am personally appalled," said Tom Delay of Texas, the third-ranking Republican in the House, saying that Clinton was talking about teen smoking but basically "throwing in the towel" in fighting drug abuse.
"He's trying to take away cigarettes and give them needles to stick in their arms," Delay said.
He said that if Clinton did not reverse himself, Republicans would push through legislation against needle-exchange programs. They cited several studies saying needle exchanges did not prevent AIDS.
The prime mover behind anti-drug legislation in the House, Rep. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said Tuesday the Clinton administration's tacit support for needle exchanges to curb the spread of AIDS sent the wrong message about narcotics use to the nation's youth.
Portman, who is fashioning an anti-drug package at the behest of the House GOP leadership, characterized as "bizarre" a report by Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala that needle exchanges reduced the incidence of HIV and didn't lead to increased drug use.
"It's as if they're throwing in the towel," he said. "What they should be doing is redoubling their effort as far as prevention is concerned."
Portman said the administration was sending a contradictory message expressing support for the idea but refusing to provide money. The better course, he said, is to send a strong message that intravenous drug use isn't acceptable.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Monday's decision came after a week of negotiations between Shalala's staff and the White House, according to two administration officials familiar with the talks. Shalala had been pressing to rescind the ban, with some restrictions, and was prepared to defend that decision on Capitol Hill, knowing it was bound to be controversial.
But the president's policy advisors feared that Republicans might push through legislation that would strip federal money from organizations that provide free needles, even though the money was used for other purposes. Late Sunday, as Clinton returned from Chile, he instructed Shalala to announce that federal funds would not be released, despite scientific evidence that needle-exchange programs help prevent the spread of HIV.
Events
* On Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hospice By The Bay and S.F. State will co-host a Washington, D.C.-based teleconference entitled "Living With Grief: Who We Are, How We Grieve." It will be held at S.F. State's Guest Conference Center. Call (415) 626-5900.
* The second meeting of a seven-week career and job search workshop will be held Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Metropolitan Community Church, 150 Eureka St., presented by the Life Program. Call (415) 537-3990.
* "Healing in Whatever Way You Choose," a free holistic-based educational program, will be held April 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Davies Medical Center, Auditorium Level B, at Castro and Duboce streets. Call (415) 284-6237.
* The Immune Enhancement Project will hold a reopening ceremony to launch its newly remodeled facility at 3450 16th St. on May 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. The program will feature Mayor Brown, AIDS activists, refreshments, food and a silent auction. Call (415) 252-8711.
* People with HIV-AIDS are invited to participate in a May 2 conference call at which they can ask questions of leading treatment experts. The call, sponsored by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, will be held May 2 at 2:30 p.m. Call 1-800-707-BETA for reservations. Benefits
* The 1998 San Francisco AIDS Dance-A-Thon, to be held starting at 4 p.m. May 2 and running until 4 a.m., is expected to attract 3,500 to 7,000 participants who will dance for 12 hours to raise money for Mobilization Against AIDS, Project Open Hand and 17 other Bay Area AIDS organizations. Call (415) 896-1393.
* Join Project Inform on the May 9 annual Ron Wilmot Bike Ride, a leisurely 7-mile ride through Golden Gate Park to raise money for the group's treatment and education programs. Wilmot, an avid cyclist and Project Inform supporter, started the ride in 1995. Call (415) 558-8669, ext. 210.
* A $7 beer-and-soda party to benefit the AIDS Emergency Fund will be hosted from to 7 p.m. May 9 by the Eagle Tavern, 398 12th St. Call (415) 626-0880. Another $7 beer-and-soda party, auction, raffle and trivia contest will held to benefit the AIDS Emergency Fund and Shanti from 4 to 7 p.m. May 10 at Daddy's Bar, 440 Castro St. Call (415) 621-8732.
* The Dr. Andrew Zysman Memorial Benefit to support ACT UP / Golden Gate will be held from 4 to 7:30 p.m. May 17 at Alfred Schilling's Chocolate Restaurant, 1695 Market St. Hors d'oeuvres, awards, entertainment and a silent auction will be held. After the event, join the AIDS Memorial Candlelight March as it passes. Tax-deductible tickets are $100, $250, $500 and $1,000. Call (415) 252-9200.
* The Wine Ride for AIDS, a 100-kilometer bike ride through the Alexander Valley, will be held June 13 to raise money for Sonoma-based AIDS services. Call (707) 544-1215.
The toll
Juk-San, 51, husband, father and an instructor in color and design and floral arrangement at the Rudolph Schaeffer School of Design in The City. Born in the Sacramento area, he was originally named Stephen Kwong; his Japanese tea ceremony name was Chy Ku San Takiyama; the name he used in gay bars was Sean. A memorial will be held Saturday at his Potrero Hill home at 2203 19th St., 2 to 7 p.m.
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