NEEDLE-EXCHANGE PLAN LIFESAVER FOR SPRINGFIELD

Imagine a Springfield man has just learned he has a life-threatening
disease and he needs some medical advice.

Should he ask his doctor about treatment, or should he ask the
Springfield City Council?

Later this month, the City Council is expected to vote on a revised
proposal to establish a needle-exchange program in the city.

The city's public-health experts and members of its large medical
community agree that Springfield should approve the program to prevent
the spread of HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C and other blood-borne disease. So
far, a majority of City Council members has blocked the program. Some
say it is wrong to spend taxpayer money to promote the use of illegal
drugs. Others say it will attract drug addicts and criminals to the
city. None gave a medical opinion.

Imagine now that the city itself is the patient with the
life-threatening disease. In Springfield, 43 percent of the HIV cases
can be traced to the use of intravenous drugs. By comparison, the
statewide average is 30 percent. The city is an obvious candidate for
the program.

City councilors should listen to public-health experts and members of
the city's medical community. The city has a health crisis on its
hands and a treatment program at its disposal. The council has a duty
to approve the program.

Four councilors have expressed support for the program: William T.
Foley, Jose F. Tosado, Kateri Walsh and its lead proponent, Bud L.
Williams. A five-vote majority will win passage, and a sixth vote of
support on the nine-member council would be veto-proof.

Arguments from opponents will sound familiar: The needle program will
promote drug use, send the wrong message to the city's young people
and undermine efforts by law-enforcement agencies to halt illegal drug
traffic.

It is worth repeating that needle-exchange programs do not promote
drug use, suggest to young people that drug use is acceptable or make
the work of police officers and prosecutors more difficult. The
program is a proven success. It has slowed the spread of disease and
helped to steer illegal drug users toward counseling and treatment
programs in Northampton, Boston, Cambridge and Provincetown. Last
week, the town of Westport became the fifth community in the state to
adopt the program.

Springfield will make it six.