SCIENTISTS DETERMINE THAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND DRUG CZAR HAVE
MISINTERPRETED RESULTS OF CANADIAN NEEDLE EXCHANGE STUDIES

Science is Clear: Needle Exchange Programs Work

NEW YORK - The authors of the two studies most cited by critics of needle
exchange programs have concluded that U.S. officials have misinterpreted
the results of their studies. In a powerful op-ed in today's New York
Times, Drs. Julie Bruneau and Martin T. Schechter debunk claims by some
major U.S. officials, including Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey, that needle
exchange programs do not reduce the spread of HIV.

"As one of the authors of the Canadian studies, I must point out that some
U.S. officials have misinterpreted our research," said Dr. Schechter. "Our
research showed that needle exchange is a necessary but not sufficient
component of HIV prevention efforts. Clean needles are only part of the
solution. A comprehensive approach that includes needle exchange, health
care, treatment for drug addiction, social support and counseling is also
needed."

Numerous studies have concluded that needle exchange programs dramatically
reduce the spread of HIV and do not encourage drug use. Given the strength
of the evidence supporting needle exchange programs, opponents have had
very little information to use as evidence against needle exchanges.
Opponents have frequently cited the Canadian studies as evidence that
needle exchange programs do not stem HIV infections.

"Opponents of needle exchange programs are playing politics with people's
lives by intentionally misinterpreting scientific results," said Ethan
Nadelmann, Director of the Lindesmith Center. "Needle sharing contributes
to over 50% of all pediatric AIDS cases. Many of these infections could
have been avoided if the Federal government funded these crucial, life
saving programs."

Needle exchange programs are supported by the American Medical Association,
the National Academy of Sciences, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the American Public Health Association as well as other
prestigious medical and public health organizations. In addition, the
American Bar Association and the U.S. Conference of Mayors have urged the
federal government to allow states and localities to use Federal HIV
prevention funds to implement needle exchange programs. Currently, federal
law bans the use of federal HIV prevention funding for needle exchange
programs. Secretary Donna Shalala has the authority to allow funding, but
has so far failed to act.

Polls have shown that Americans support lifting the ban on federal funding
of needle exchange programs. A recent Harris poll found that 71% of
Americans believe that cities and states -- and not the federal government
- -- should decide whether federal HIV prevention funds can be spent on
needle exchange programs.

Based in New York, the Lindesmith Center is a drug policy research
institute that concentrates on broadening the drug policy debate. The
Lindesmith Center is a project of the Open Society Institute. Founded by
philanthropist George Soros, the Open Society Institute promotes the
development of open societies around the world through projects relating to
education, media, legal reform and human rights. The founder and director
of The Lindesmith Center is Ethan Nadelmann, J.D., Ph.D. , author of Cops
Across Borders: The Internationalization of U.S. Criminal Law Enforcement
(Penn State Press, 1993) as well as numerous articles on drug control
policy in leading scholarly and popular journals.

For Further Comment:

Dr. Martin Schechter University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC (Pacific
Standard Time) 604-822-3081