HELPING DRUG ADDICTS

To the Editor:

Re "Inadequate Fight Against Drugs Hampers Russia's Ability to Curb
H.I.V." (Memo From Russia, Jan. 17):

Russia could benefit from our experiences in New York City dealing
with drug addicts.

Twenty-three years ago, I helped create one of the first H.I.V./AIDS
prevention and care programs in the United States for injecting drug
users. Rather than getting addicts off drugs, our mission was to
reduce new infections and help those already infected to take better
care of themselves.

We do not hand out clean needles or provide substitute drugs, but
offer training in health education, drug relapse prevention and stress
reduction.

Over the years, thousands of addicts have enrolled voluntarily,
indicating that active drug users may not be willing or able to quit
using drugs but will seek help in maintaining their health.

Howard Josepher

New York

The writer is the co-founder and chief executive of Exponents.