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needle exchange programs currently operating in the United States. With government funding this number could raise tremendously.

The aim of these programs is to help not hurt, and the statistics illustrate that needle exchange programs do not encourage drug use. The wish is to provide clean needles to reduce the transmission of blood borne pathogens. The harm reduction theory aims to reduce the risk associated with drugs to curtail any collateral damage, which sometimes is imparted by society. The attempt is to keep people diseases free so when they overcome their addictions they are not left with a life threatening disease, peoples youthful indiscretions should not follow them their entire lives, and needle exchanges programs can ensure that.

Drug use and addiction is still highly stigmatized, which is reflected in public health policy and the treatment available to drug addicts. Needle exchange programs act in many instances as sudo health providers for these people. May programs offer referral information for addicts to other health agencies, and sometimes are even successful in helping addicts overcome their drug addiction. The idea is that drug addicts face enough hardship, and discrimination, why should society add the burden of life threatening diseases, when it is totally preventable.

These programs not only benefit the addict but also the community, addicts spread HIV and Hepatitis C through intercourse with non addicts. By preventing infection in a high risk population there is added bonus of preventing spread to the general population. These programs also provide the invaluable service of disposing of dirty syringes, a service that is often times unavailable. This is a major public health service.

Although the numbers are out and they are strongly in support of needle exchange programs many Americans are reluctant to support them, this is not only an issue of public health it is a moral issue, that has pitted many Americans against one another. Unfortunately far too often in our nation's history close-mindedness and prejudice has hindered medical care, such as abortion laws, and equal access to health care. It is an unfortunate circumstance we are in; it is akin to having the cure for a disease and not letting any one have access to it.

There are many people who advocate total eradication of drugs as the righteous goal but as history has clearly shown us the Nancy Regan policy "just say no" doesn't always work. Thought history there has always been drugs and there has always been drug users, it is due time that we admit that America has a drug problem, and ask ourselves what can we do about it? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing but expecting different results, American drug policy is clearly insane. The war on drugs has failed, and total abstinence doesn't work, its time to try something new.

Learn more about this author, Axl Kaminski.
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