ADDICTS NEED REHABILITATION, NOT FREE NEEDLES

Editor, The News:

Is drug addiction irreversible?

Supporters of needle exchange programs (NEP) view drug addiction as
irreversible, but want to lower the risk of HIV and Hepatitis C by
offering clean syringes.

This approach, however well intentioned, ignores the soul-controlling
darkness of addiction and the moral free-fall that sustains it.

Needle-sharing among drug users is a major source of HIV transmission,
which is rising most rapidly among this group.

However, most IV drug users, in fact, die not from HIV-tainted needles
but from other health problems: high-risk sex, overdoses, homicide,
heart disease, kidney failure, liver disease and suicide.

Newer addicts may at first be fearful of the AIDS virus, but this
decreases as they continue to shoot up. Hard-core abusers tend to live
in a state of deep denial.

NEP advocates assume that addicts worry about AIDS or syphilis or
crack-addicted babies.

By evading the real issues of addicts' personal responsibility, NEP
advocates are neglecting the most effective help for drug abusers:
enrollment in tough-minded treatment programs.

For example, Teen Challenge, founded in 1958 by David Wilkerson, is a
pioneer in therapeutic treatment of addicts and has achieved some
remarkable results.

One federal study found that 86 percent of the program's graduates
were drug-free seven years after completing the regimen.

With our cash-strapped health care system, there is not enough money
for both needle exchange and rehabilitation programs. Once the
political will is turned to support an NEP, all efforts and resources
flow that direction to keep it propped up.

A cursory look at American studies shows that for every 100 addicts,
the best needle exchange can do is some reduction in HIV, leaving 90
junkies still shooting up and 10 dead from related causes.

With rehabilitation the potential is 85 renewed, healthy, productive
citizens and 15 junkies.

Which one shows more care and compassion for the addict?

L. Stanway, Abbotsford