Informed Opinions on Today’s Topics : Clean Needles: Solution for an Epidemic?

On Tuesday, Mayor Richard Riordan squarely addressed the AIDS epidemic in Los Angeles by declaring a state of emergency. The declaration makes it possible for the distribution of clean needles in Los Angeles to continue without interference from the city attorney or the Police Department. Designed to reduce the transmission of AIDS through contaminated syringes, needle exchanges are currently illegal in California. In his veto message to two legislative attempts to overturn that law, Gov. Pete Wilson said: “If we are going to demand that young people . . . suffer the consequences of their personal choices, what are they to think when in the next breath we give formal sanctions to a project which facilitates drug use?” The mayor’s declaration will take effect next week. It will not legalize the possession of a hypodermic needle, but will direct law enforcement officials to make citations a low priority.

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Should Los Angeles officials condone the distribution of clean hypodermic needles?

Linda Rodriguez, director of the HIV Program for the Northeast Valley Health Corp.:

“The issue is that, in doing so, we’re not condoning drug use. . . . Just as condoms are a prevention device, so are clean needles. Those who oppose (the distribution of clean needles) are the same people who say that condom distribution condones sexuality and promiscuity. Neither clean needles nor condoms promote the practice. They are simply prevention devices.”

Jack Bernstein, executive director of Cri-Help Drug Rehabilitation:

“It depends on the program. It could be done in a way that’s beneficial if responsible counseling is included. But, that’s not likely. Based on the information I’ve gained, there’s not a lot of data that indicates these programs being effective against the spread of infection. People will use needles over and over again even though clean needles are available. It will not invite increased drug use, however. Drug addiction has done a good enough job disseminating itself without a clean needle exchange program.”

Oscar De La O, Executive Director of Bienestar Latino AIDS Project:

“We should always try the appropriate prevention methods. The distribution of clean needles to that population is a way of providing them with access to HIV prevention information. There’s no room for the issue of morality here. They are already using drugs. The focus should be on addressing the problem more so than deciding whether or not their behavior is correct. Needle exchanges do not invite others to start using drugs because the practice is that one must turn in a needle to get a clean needle. In the Latino community, denial that AIDS even exists as a problem continues to be the larger problem. It’s still perceived as a gay white male disease. Through these types of programs, the people that need to get prevention information will be able to do so.”

Kirby Dean, president of Recovery Options Network, a drug treatment referral service:

“It’s a Catch-22. Handing out clean needles advocates drug use and not doing so increases the odds of catching the AIDS virus. Given only those two options, I would choose handing out the needles. But, if I could choose another option, I would force drug users to get treatment. . . . If you force drug users to go through treatment, they would at least have the tools to become clean and sober. . . . It’s a shame our society has come to this. We’re losing the war. But, if we’re going to continue to allow people to kill themselves in this way, we should at least present them with a clean needle to do it with.”