NEEDLE HANDOUTS WILL BACKFIRE

A few years ago, my three-year-old daughter picked up a dirty needle
downtown. It was sticking out of a pipe at her eye level and, even
though I was right beside her, she managed to grab it before I could stop her.

Fortunately the needle was facing down and she wasn't harmed.

Discarded needles are dangerous and as a result I don't go downtown
very often with my children. Even though some very friendly people
collect them regularly, I see one almost every time I'm downtown.

I don't understand how a group can call themselves Harm Reduction
Victoria and take no responsibility for cleaning up their needles.

I fully agree that clean needles are needed but think the concept of
"exchange" can't be overlooked. What good is it to save one group
from harm at the expense of another?

Harm Reduction Victoria's campaign is reckless and will reduce
support for drug users while fuelling the fires of a very heated issue.

Marlene McLean

Victoria