D.C. TAX DOLLARS SUBJECT TO CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT

In response to Frank Smith's Aug. 21 Reader Views letter regarding my
opposition to taxpayer-funded needle-exchange programs within the District
of Columbia:

The Constitution, which gives Congress oversight over tax dollars inside the
District of Columbia, makes no distinction between local and non-local tax
dollars. Every tax dollar spent within D.C. is subject to congressional
oversight.

Mr. Smith claims that success in NEPs is "undeniable." The fact is,
President Clinton's drug czar Gen. Barry McCaffrey has stated that "the
science is uncertain."

Gen. McCaffrey goes on to say that "the public health risks outweigh any
benefits" of free needle programs. Stating that "while perhaps eight persons
contract HIV directly or indirectly from dirty needles, 352 start using
heroin each day, and more than 4,000 die each year from
heroin/morphine-related causes (the No. 1 drug-related cause of death)."

While I'm certain that Mr. Smith supports free needles out of an honorable
sense of compassion, I oppose them for the same reason. If Mr. Smith would
like to support privately-funded needle exchanges with his own money, I
support his right to do so. Just not with the tax dollars of every other
American citizen.

Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kansas, 4th District