NEEDLE-EXCHANGE BAN 'DEFIES LOGIC'

On behalf of the 2,400 people living with HIV in Camden, Gloucester,
Burlington and Salem counties, we'd like to thank you for your
editorial on supporting the Harm Reduction and Syringe Exchange
program in Camden and Atlantic cities ("N.J. needs a needle-exchange
program," June 24).

Your support has been validated by numerous public-health
organizations, city governments and law-enforcement agencies all over
the United States. All the evidence clearly points to reduced
infection rates and no increase in drug abuse. In fact, this type of
program has functioned as a gateway into drug treatment for those who
are addicted.

That an injunction was issued to prevent implementation of this
program when New Jersey is one of the last two states in the country
to have such a program, and at the same time ranks fifth overall and
first among women with HIV, defies all logic. Such a distinction
should make us all tell our legislators to support Syringe Exchange
and abandon any argument that isn't supported by objective data.

ARTHUR H. DION

President

AIDS Coalition of Southern New Jersey

Bellmawr