An overwhelming number of Americans support lifting a ban on federal
government HIV prevention money being spent on needleexchange programs, a
drug policy research institute said Thursday.

It quoted a public opinion poll conducted last month. The Louis Harris Poll
commissioned by the institute found that 71 percent of adults believe that
cities and states and not the federal government should decide how to use
the money allotted for HIV prevention. Current law prohibits the use of
federal money to carry out needleexchange programs.

Harris pollsters surveyed 1,003 adults by telephone Oct. 1519. The poll
had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent.

When told that organizations such as the American Medical Association
approved of needle exchanges, 50 percent of respondents said they supported
the programs, according to the poll.