CLEAN NEEDLES: AX PLAN SEEKING TO BAN PROGRAM'S FUNDS

U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave wants to permanently ban federal dollars for
needle exchange programs aimed at homeless young people. It's a bad idea
that won't discourage drug use and perpetuates a federal policy that puts
thousands of young people at risk for AIDS.

The Colorado Republican has amended the Runaway, Homeless and Missing
Children Protection Act to prohibit funding for needle exchange. The bill,
which has cleared a House committee, authorizes $105 million for street
outreach, health and shelter programs.

The federal government already has a general policy to not fund needle
exchange programs, but those restrictions don't necessarily apply to new
appropriations. Musgrave argues that needle exchange programs encourage
addiction.

The notion may sound sensible, but it's is flat-out wrong. Needle exchange
programs don't give drug users additional means to shoot up; they swap
dirty needles for sterile ones on a one-to-one basis. Studies show that the
programs reduce the rate of HIV among injection drug users by 50 percent,
while not increasing drug use.

Needle exchange workers aren't condoning drug use. They're trying to keep
people alive while working to treat the addiction. Virtually every public
health organization has endorsed needle exchange programs.

To be sure, the public is less enthusiastic about them. But the House could
show some real courage and leadership -- and save lives, too -- by
stripping Musgrave's amendment from the bill and renewing the debate on
federal funding for needle exchange programs.