SUPERVISORS APPROVE NEEDLE-EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Shasta County supervisors voted 4-1 this morning to start a
needle-exchange program along with an education campaign against
illegal drug use.

The majority agreed with the Department of Public Health, which
argued the program would curb the spread of hepatitis and HIV and
give the county an opportunity to offer help to addicts.

"I think on the whole this proposal is a very reasoned approach which
balances the concerns in the community," Supervisor Mark Cibula said.

Supervisor Linda Hartman dissented, saying she agreed with the
education campaign but not the needle exchange. She said public
officials should "send a clear message" that illegal drug use is wrong.

"Something I've learned as a mother is there are some things (on
which) you cannot waver, and one of those is illegal drugs," Hartman said.

As part of the plan, the county will train a community health
advocate to be a substance abuse counselor, who would refer drug
users to treatment.

The proposal came after the board in June rejected a syringe-exchange
plan that would have also allowed pharmacies to sell up to 10 needles
without a prescription.