'COMPASSION-LITE'

Apparently compassion-lite is on its way to Fresno. The Bee appears to be
on a new crusade. There have now been two Jim Wasserman columns and two
front-page stories on needle exchange programs.

If we really care about intravenous drug users, why are we stopping at
needle exchange? These people are addicted to life-robbing narcotics.
That's their real problem. You say we want to stop the spread of AIDS? I
would hope so. AIDS is only one of their problems. How can you say that
needle exchange is compassionate? If we really want to help these people,
why don't we do the hard work and help them get off the drugs?

Needle exchange is compassion-lite. Feels great, less helpful.

Paul H. Betancourt, Kerman