PROVIDING ADDICTS WITH SYRINGES WILL SLOW THE SPREAD

Needle exchange programs, now safe crack kits. Toronto is increasingly
becoming user-friendly, in the drug sense that is. It has people
questioning how providing addicts with the tools to use deters addictions.

The first needle exchange program was officially opened in Vancouver in
1989. Exchanges have since become operative in many of Canada's major
cities including our own Toronto. The exchange program allows addicts a
place to get new and sterile needles in turn for used ones.

I don't condone drug use, and I would love to turn any prospective user
away. I've watched many friends lose themselves to a carefree,
hallucinogenic blur from drugs. However, I understand that an addiction is
far beyond the drive to escape from reality a couple times a week, and
because of this I encourage any needle exchange programs that charities or
the government are able to fund.

The obvious benefit of needle exchanges or safe crack kits is the reduction
of diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C. Many do not know, but Hepatitis
can be transmitted orally through blisters on the lips caused by
over-heated pipes. One of the most common causes of HIV infection is the
sharing of infected needles by injection drug users.

According to the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network in 2002, 30 per cent of
all new HIV cases are among Canadian injection drug users. Anyone who is
already an injection drug user is far beyond the use of a little
recreational marijuana. I refuse to believe that offering a clean
instrument for these people who suffer from the disease of addiction is
encouraging anyone else to become a user. The government offers funding for
many of our health needs, and addiction should not be any different.

Many of these exchange programs also offer counseling services, Hepatitis A
and B testing and treatment referrals. Providing them with clean needles
not only keeps them from spreading disease but it connects outreach workers
with the users. They are not there to provide the drugs and encourage their
use but are meant as a support group for people who will do anything to get
high. Some addicts need their fix so badly they will do anything for just
one hit of heroin or crack. They'll even go as far as to prostitute
themselves. Selling your own body should be considered a cry of
desperation. How could turning our backs on these people discourage future
drug users? Why not provide a safe way to use so addicts have a chance to
overcome their addiction rather than die from it?

I am positive that many of the people who are reading this article have
tried drugs. I'll admit that when I was in high school I got high quite a
bit with my friends, but I was lucky enough not to have a burning urge or
desire to continue that drug use upon entering college. I believe that
addicts feel something different when they first start doing drugs. They
crave a more potent and longer high. Something inside of them makes them
wants to use. Until we can completely cure the disease of addiction we
should be making their lives healthier.

HIV should not condone an addict to a slow painful death because they have
a world that is ruled by their addictions. We as a clean society are no
better than drug addicts. Therefore, we should be doing everything in our
power to keep them healthy and help them become drug free. If bringing them
into a hostile-free, clean and educational environment will keep the HIV
rate down and help only the 15 per cent of people who are able to overcome
their addictions then it's worth it.