RE: PUBLIC health not a drug war concern. Public health is not a
prohibitionist concern. The hypocritical decision to deny federal
funding for a needle exchange program (NEP) goes against scientific
evidence to the contrary. Health and Human Services secretary Donna
Shalala admits in no uncertain terms that NEPs work without increasing
drug use, but refuses to change a brain-dead policy.

The hypocrisy reeks to high heaven. When experts acknowledge clear
scientific proof that NEPs will stem the AIDS epidemic among drug
users and then refuse to act on this truth, it becomes clear that drug
prohibition is an arbitrary policy that overrules with Reefer Madness
fictions and fables. The narco pretence of protecting public health
ends when the Presidential Advisory Commission on AIDS, the AMA and
other major medical groups endorse NEPs. Never again can the
narcomaniacs claim that the drug war protects public health. It isn't
even on their radar.

R. Givens

(If needle exchange programs reduce the spreading of disease, they
should be used.)