An excellent lte from an addict.

NEEDLE EXCHANGE
It saves lives

Recently I was living at a recovery house for drugs and alcohol here in
Everett. I got the opportunity to sit in on a Needle Exchange
Informational Group, which was an excellent presentation.

However, I was disturbed by the fact that needle exchange here is not
funded enough by our officials. Apparently they do not believe that some
people of Snohomish County have a very real drug problem.

So why the concern? Being in recovery I am acutely aware of the drug
activity on the streets of Everett. And even though drug use is taboo, it
is reality. Not only drug use, but also the spread of diseases, such as
HIV and Hepatitis B and C, due to sharing needles. These too are reality.
No matter how people would like to close their eyes to this, it is very
present in our community. Those who choose to close their eyes to this
are only kidding themselves if they believe they won't be affected by it,
in one way or another.

I firmly believe that not being concerned about the spread of disease
in this manner puts Snohomish County at a much higher risk than those
counties who make a true effort to control the spread of disease by
educating not only our drug users but also people who do not use. If
people have to witness stands on our street corners for exchange of
needles and educating our people, so be it. Perhaps it will open some
eyes and save some lives.

Jackie Duboise
Everett