PLAN RESTORES FUNDING FOR NEEDLE EXCHANGE

The Milwaukee County Board's Finance and Audit Committee on Monday
unanimously recommended restoration of $150,000 in the 2003 budget to
support a needle exchange program and other AIDS prevention efforts. The
actions came after testimony about the success of needle exchange in easing
the spread of AIDS among users of injection drugs. The AIDS Resource Center
of Wisconsin runs the program.

County Executive Scott Walker's proposed budget excluded the program.
Walker has said he supports AIDS prevention but does not want public money
supporting illegal drug use through the provision of clean needles to drug
users. His budget would eliminate $230,000 for the center, which last year
used the money for counseling and drug treatment in addition to needle
exchange.

Walker, who has threatened to veto any spending increases that would cause
the county tax levy to rise, reacted strongly to the finance committee's
move. "I have a hard time believing that a majority of Milwaukee County
taxpayers want their tax dollars going to pay to continue the habits of
illegal drug users," he said. Walker said it was unfortunate that the
committee, in its review of his budget proposal, added funding for the AIDS
program and several other programs he excluded.

Supervisors were told that county money has supported staff but not the
actual purchase of needles for the program. Eliminating the program would
actually cost county taxpayers more in the end because AIDS patients often
are eligible for county-financed medical care, center official Mike Gifford
told the committee. The full board is to vote on the budget amendments Nov.
4. Walker will then get an opportunity to veto add-backs, and supervisors
then get a final vote.