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From: bmkapron@theory.utoronto.ca (Bruce Kapron)
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
Subject: Re: AIDS In Canada - 5
Message-ID: <25466@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
Date: 5 Jul 89 20:51:19 GMT
References: <25434@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
Sender: news@CS.UCLA.EDU
Organization: Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto
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Approved: aids@cs.ucla.edu
Archive-number: 1048

Because of the controversy surrounding needle exchange programs,
health department officials sometime seem reluctant to provide
information regarding the mechanics of such a program. Based on the
information that I have seen in the Toronto media regarding this
city's program, I have doubts that it will be useful.

A standard reply to critics seems to be that since new needles will
only be exchanged for old, the program will not be encouraging the
use of needle drugs. However, if this is indeed the case, I fail to
see how the program can be effective. While giving new needles to
users (along with counselling) is probably good for their general
health, it does not address the way in which the use of needles
spreads AIDS -- namely the sharing of needles. Surely the practice
of sharing needles cannot be halted unless anyone who may potentially
want to use a needle has access to one. This means giving needles
without exchange. I also think that it is unrealistic to expect that
even regular users are always going to have an old needle to exchange
for a new one.

I would appreciate it if someone could clear up my confusion on this
issue.

Bruce Kapron
bmkapron@theory.utoronto.ca