NEEDLE EXCHANGES CAN SAVE LIVES

As founder of Camp Heartland, the largest camping and care program for
children affected by HIV and AIDS, I have met more than 1,000 kids who are
touched by this disease. Along the way, I have witnessed their incredible
determination, endurance and courage in their fight to stay healthy.

Sadly, we have lost 28 of our campers to AIDS. I am tired of burying
children. I am tired of watching people suffer the painful symptoms of a
disease that is now totally preventable. As a moral society, we must do
everything in our power to halt the transmission of HIV. This includes
supporting needle exchange programs.

Many of our campers were infected with HIV from their mothers during birth
or pregnancy. Some of these women were infected as a result of their own
intravenous drug use or that of their partners. As a Milwaukee county
taxpayer and as someone who does not want anyone to suffer, I am very
comfortable with my tax dollars being used for clean needles.

Studies indicate that needle exchange programs do not increase drug use.
They do, however, drastically reduce the transmission of HIV. When an
addicted drug user is spared from HIV, generations of children can be born
HIV-free.

A number of county supervisors are debating whether to invest $100,000 of
tax dollars in the LifePoint Needle Exchange Program. They should know that
by voting in favor of this, they will save dozens of individuals the agony
often associated with HIV. Could there be any better investment of tax
dollars?

Thank you, County Executive F. Thomas Ament, for supporting a sound public
policy.

Neil Willenson

Founder and president

Camp Heartland

Cudahy


Checked-by: Mike Gogulski