COUNTY OKS NEEDLE PLAN

Although it was another vote split along party lines, the Guilford
County Board of Commissioners deserves praise for making a tough,
controversial decision to endorse a needle-exchange pilot program for
drug abusers proposed by local and state health officials.

The experimental program, one of just a few in the state, would chart
the success of such an effort in reducing the spread of HIV and
Hepatitis C by drug abusers who shared needles. Such programs in other
areas of the nation has shown positive results in reducing the spread
of disease.

The program includes efforts to get abusers into drug treatment
services, and should make it more palatable to those who fear it would
encourage drug use. Let's hope for many successes locally.