Good Steps in AIDS Program

Two useful steps in controlling AIDS at the most dangerous spreading point have been proposed to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors by the county AIDS Commission. They deserve prompt implementation.

Both of the steps have to do with intravenous drug abusers, who have the most rapid increase in the rate of infection with the human immuno-deficiency virus and who pose, through sexual contact, the greatest peril to the heterosexual population. On the recommendation of its Intravenous Drug User Task Force, the commission has proposed:

--A stepped-up prevention program among the drug users that would include the distribution of condoms and of bleach for cleaning needles. This has been effective in other cities.

--Expansion of treatment and rehabilitation programs for drug users, and opposition to a planned transfer of funds from drug-abuse treatment programs to school education programs. Those volunteering for residential treatment programs already face a 21-week wait. The experts agree that any cut in funding would only prolong the waiting time and weaken the effort to help drug users break their habits and, with that break, reduce the risk of spreading AIDS.

Some members of the commission wanted to go further, providing clean needles or a needle exchange program. The results of such programs in other nations have been mixed. Dr. Thomas L. Horowitz, chairman of the commission’s Intravenous Drug User Task Force, agreed to keep those options under study. We think that the commission did the right thing, moving ahead on proven programs, while continuing to study other options, including needle programs.

The commission recommendation responds to the urgent proposal of last month of the United AIDS Coalition of Los Angeles County, which is made up of the principal AIDS service organizations. The coalition concluded that “it is critical that we find a way to supply individuals with clean needles either through needle exchange programs, public education programs regarding proper cleansing methods, and/or the free distribution of needles.”

In opposing any reduction in present funding for drug rehabilitation, the AIDS Commission was in agreement with the county Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Commission, which earlier had expressed serious objections to a plan to cut rehabilitation funds in order to increase the SANE and DARE school education programs. Both commissions are right. Rehabilitation and education need expansion, but neither should be expanded at the expense of the other.