'NEEDLE LADY' SAVING LIVES

Harm reduction saves lives, and Beth Wehrman is a lifesaver. Peoria
residents who find fault with her needle exchange efforts would be wise to
consider that drug users are not the only ones at risk. Ms. Wehrman is
protecting the entire community.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 57 percent of
AIDS cases among women are linked to injection drug use or sex with
partners who inject drugs. Overall, 36 percent of AIDS cases in the United
States can be traced to intravenous drug use. This easily preventable
public health crisis is a direct result of zero tolerance laws that
restrict access to clean syringes.

Let's hope America's tough-on-drugs politicians acknowledge the drug war's
tremendous collateral damage sooner, not later. Whether we like it or not,
both drug use and drug laws are here to stay. It makes sense to try and
minimize the harm associated with both.

Robert Sharpe

Program Officer, Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C.