GOP JABS COBURN IN NEEDLE PROGRAM FIGHT

"The government should help drug users break their addictions, not continue
them," Tom Coburn.

WASHINGTON -- A stealth attack from U.S. Rep. Tom Coburn against a needle
exchange program designed to fight the spread of AIDS in the District of
Columbia unleashed a torrent of criticism from Coburn's fellow Republicans.

Some believe it is yet another example of the GOP ignoring its own
principles of staying off the back of local government.

Coburn came up with the proposal, which would prevent the District of
Columbia from using its own funds to pay for the program, but did not run
with it himself.

Instead, he handed it off to Rep. Charles Taylor, R-N.C., who chairs the
House appropriations subcommittee that handles spending issues for the
District of Columbia.

Taylor reportedly has not publicly acknowledged his involvement, and his
office stated Thursday that no one was authorized to comment on the issue.

An aide with the Appropriations Committee also could not answer questions
concerning it.

In testimony before Taylor's subcommittee several days ago, Rep. Connie
Morella, R-Md., said that such interference in local government affairs runs
counter to GOP principles.

``The District of Columbia has one of the highest incidence of HIV infection
in the country,'' Morella said.

``(It) has had a local needle exchange program in place since last year, an
important tool in the city's fight against the spread of HIV and an
important bridge to drug treatment service. Now, some members want to tell
D.C. that it cannot spend its own funds to prevent HIV infections.

``This is simply wrong.'

She pointed out the House has already gone on record against the use of
federal dollars for such programs.

Carol Schwartz, a GOP councilwoman in the district and mayoral candidate,
also urged Taylor's panel to reject attempts to load up legislation with
so-called riders on nonspending matters.

``The District of Columbia does not need to be the guinea pig for 535
individual congressional agendas,'' Schwartz said.

``That is not fair.''

She also said issues of local concerns should be decided by the citizens of
the district.

The U.S. Constitution gives Congress special authority over the District of
Columbia and its affairs; lawmakers from time to time become directly
involved in local issues.

Schwartz said just ``because you can does not mean that you should''
exercise that power.

Coburn was not available for comment.

Besides the argument against congressional interference into local
government, the different opinions on the success of such needle exchanges
and the message they send appear to be driving the ongoing debate.

Morella and others believe they are working.

``Scientific evidence supports the fact that needle exchange programs reduce
HIV infection and do not contribute to illegal drug use,'' she said.

Coburn rejects that view.

In comments made immediately after the House vote to ban the use of federal
dollars for needle exchanges, he compared attempts to limit HIV transmission
by free needle exchanges for drug users to limiting lung cancer by passing
out free low-tar cigarettes to teen smokers.

Coburn also claimed that new studies run counter to claims put forth by
proponents of needle exchanges that they are effective in reducing HIV rates.

Two studies in Canada found needle exchange programs actually contributed to
increased HIV transmissions, he said.

Moreover, Coburn said, such programs send the wrong message.

``The government should help drug users break their addictions, not continue
them,'' he said.

Supporters of the district's program say the year-old program can help fight
drug use in addition to HIV transmission.

Those who receive the free needles must register with the program and are
urged to seek treatment, they say.

No one could say how seriously Taylor's panel was taking Coburn's proposal.

Jim Myers can be reached at (202) 484-1424.


Checked-by: Melodi Cornett