AIDS services hail needle stance

By Ann Schrader
Denver Post Medical/Science Writer

Four Denver AIDS service organizations Tuesday applauded Mayor Wellington
Webb's new support of laws to permit needleexchange programs for the fight
against AIDS.

The Colorado AIDS Project, which has endorsed needle exchanges, "is very
encouraged" by Webb's postive stance, said the group's executive director,
Julian Rush.

"This is a worthy step. The evidence is certainly strong that needle exchange
is an effective method to prevent the spread of HIV (the virus that causes
AIDS)," Rush said.

Paul Simons of the HIV prevention group People Engaged in Education and
Reduction Strategies, called Webb's announcement "a courageous step."

Support for Webb's change of heart also was given by representatives of the
Governor's AIDS Council and the prevention and treatment program Urban Links
at the University of Colorado at Denver.

Needleexchange programs are built around trading sterile syringes for used,
potentially contaminated ones. Addicts who inject drugs have a tendency to
reuse the same syringes and share them with one another.

Public health proponents say the programs, such as the one operated in
Boulder County with District Attorney Alex Hunter's blessing, reduce the
transmission of HIV and hepatitis B and C and don't result in increased drug
use.

People who oppose the programs, such as many in law enforcement, say they
send a message that conflicts with the fight against drugs and encourages the
use of drugs particularly among young people.

In his annual address, Webb said he changed his long opposition to
needleexchange programs "after a great deal of thought."

"I worried over the years that support of a needleexchange program would
send the wrong message to young people we were trying to reach with our
antidrug education efforts," Webb said. "However, I recently came to the
conclusion, after reviewing updated information, that the situation had
become critical enough to warrant this controversial approach."

Webb pledged that, within the next year, he would propose an ordinance to the
city council to allow a needleexchange program in Denver, where there are an
estimated 11,000 intravenous drug addicts.

However, the mayor noted that such an ordinance couldn't go into effect until
state laws are changed to allow cities and counties to exercise the option.
Under current Colorado law, possession of a syringe whether by an addict
or a healthcare worder distributing them can mean arrest and a $100 fine.

The Colorado House this year narrowly defeated a proposal to allow monitored
needle exchanges. HB1289 would have let communities design their own local
programs. Webb said he would testify in favor of new state legislation.

Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter said that as long as needle exchanges
are illegal, he'll continue to prosecute. "I've been very hesitant to pick
and choose laws and whether to enforce them or not enforce them," he said.

But Ritter said he would be willing to discuss the issue with Webb and Denver
Police Chief Dave Michaud. Michaud, who took no official position during the
legislative debate, said he looks forward to debate on the issue.