ACTIONS COULD REDUCE AIDS SPREAD, CRIME AND DEATHS FROM DRUG OVERDOSE

There are three immediate actions that would go far in stopping the spread
of HIV/AIDS, reducing crime, reducing death rates from overdosing, and
returning persons who are suffering from heroin addiction to healthy
productive members of society for the benefit of themselves, their loved
ones and our general society.

1. The establishment of a syringe exchange to distribute to heroin addicts,
since more than half of all new HIV/AIDS cases result from the sharing of
dirty needles. Pennsylvania is one of the few states that prohibits the
purchase of needles without a prescription. This short-sighted approach
encourages the re-use and sharing of dirty needles. Furthermore, syringe
exchanges collect and dispose of used syringes and are a vital link for
providing addicts who want to beat the habit with information and assistance.

The then Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala stated on
April 20, 1998, that "A meticulous scientific review has now proven that
needle exchange programs can reduce the transmission of HIV and save lives
without losing ground in the battle against illegal drugs." Syringe
exchanges operate in Philadelphia and in about a hundred other cities
across the country.

2. A methadone maintenance clinic should be established to serve the
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre region. When an addict takes a daily dose of
methadone, he or she ceases to crave heroin and is able to resume a normal,
productive life. Persons taking this medicine are indistinguishable from
other members of society and become solid citizens. They usually remain on
methadone for decades since withdrawal often leads to relapse. It is
similar to treating diabetes patients with insulin.

The federal and state government licenses and regulates methadone clinics.
Former Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey stated on July 24, 1998: "Methadone is one
of the longest-established, most thoroughly evaluated forms of drug
treatment. The science is overwhelming in its findings about methadone
treatment's effectiveness."The citizenry needs to realistically evaluate
the choice of having a single methadone clinic in an industrial zone or
permitting the spread of HIV/AIDS to loved ones and suffering a much higher
rate of crime.

3. Few people realize that people do not die from overdosing on drugs;
rather, since there usually exists a three hour window of opportunity for
them to receive fast and effective medical treatment, they die because
those who are with them are afraid to call an ambulance or rush them to a
hospital. Since those who could help have probably been using drugs and, if
investigated, could draw mandatory minimum prison sentences for a number of
years, they fear being further involved. We should have an understanding
among the hospitals, the police and the public that only questions relating
to the condition of the patient would be asked of those delivering the
patient. Hospital emergency wards should be deemed a sanctuary from
investigation and arrest when only drug use is involved.

Excellent sources for additional information concerning how to reduce harm
pertaining to drugs can be found at www.drugwarfacts.org and
www.addictinthefamily.org.

Robert E. Field

Wilkes-Barre