NEEDLES FOR DRUG USERS

Re "Needle policy to be eased," Dec. 28: As part of our society's need for
saner, more compassionate drug policies, I'm in favor of easier access to
clean needles for IV drug users. However, IV drug users need more than
clean needles; they need somewhere to dispose of the used ones.Dirty
needles are hazardous waste and should be disposed of as such, not thrown
out with the trash or tossed onto the ground. Too often as I walk through
my local park, I have found a used hypodermic needle on the ground. In the
interest of public health for all, clean needles should be exchanged for
dirty needles. Either that, or we install locked boxes in parks and public
places for the disposal of used needles.

- - Julie Bauer, Sacramento