Everyone knows that drugs are a major controversial problem in the United States and the rest of the world. War on drugs has been an ongoing issue that has not only cost people a lot of money to prevent but has also cost a lot of people their lives. Gang violence, drug trafficking and diseases to name a few, have been some of the major issues behind the killings of men, women, and children. The war on drugs will continue to become a problem until it is slowed down or it comes to a complete stop. Fortunately there have been programs that have helped addicts with the use of their drugs. Needle programs have been developed to give addicts the opportunity to use drugs in a clean way and prevent the spread of diseases. Unfortunately, the United States government has not been a big supporter of this program and these particular programs are only surviving by the funds of private organizations.
With the sharing of needles, drug addicts transmit hepatitis, HIV, and other blood borne viruses. With the help of the needle programs, it not only stops the transmission of these diseases but also provide addicts with support and information that can lead them into treatment. If an addict visits a needle exchange, not only can they receive clean syringes, but they are able to pick up free condoms and talk to counselors that can help them with treatment options (Murphy and Knowles, 2000). It has been proven that the needle programs help in reducing the transmission of diseases. “According to a 2004 review by the World Health Organization, (WHO) there is compelling evidence that the programs reduce HIV infections” (Norton, 2010). In New Jersey, there are five counties that have hosted a syringe exchange program and they believe that it is a beneficial program. The program has “helped 998 of them enter treatment, and have also collected 295,736 used syringes, and provided 706,568 new ones” (Livio, 2010). Also, “drug addicts in New York City have found that new infection rates dropped more than 75% after city and community activists expanded clean-needle programs” (Szalavitz, 2009). Although the needle program may not help stop drug addicts from using drugs, it is helping lower the amount of diseases and HIV spread throughout the United States.
With the sharing of needles, drug addicts transmit hepatitis, HIV, and other blood borne viruses. With the help of the needle programs, it not only stops the transmission of these diseases but also provide addicts with support and information that can lead them into treatment. If an addict visits a needle exchange, not only can they receive clean syringes, but they are able to pick up free condoms and talk to counselors that can help them with treatment options (Murphy and Knowles, 2000). It has been proven that the needle programs help in reducing the transmission of diseases. “According to a 2004 review by the World Health Organization, (WHO) there is compelling evidence that the programs reduce HIV infections” (Norton, 2010). In New Jersey, there are five counties that have hosted a syringe exchange program and they believe that it is a beneficial program. The program has “helped 998 of them enter treatment, and have also collected 295,736 used syringes, and provided 706,568 new ones” (Livio, 2010). Also, “drug addicts in New York City have found that new infection rates dropped more than 75% after city and community activists expanded clean-needle programs” (Szalavitz, 2009). Although the needle program may not help stop drug addicts from using drugs, it is helping lower the amount of diseases and HIV spread throughout the United States.
Because the needle program is such a controversial subject, many believe that giving syringe needles to drug addicts encourage addicts to continue with their drug use and for some even increase the amount of usage. Not only do drug users transmit diseases through the use of needles, but they also partake in risky unprotected sex that can also cause the spread of HIV and other types of diseases (Murphy and Knowles, 2000). The only way to stop the transmission of diseases is to stop the use of drugs which is obviously an unreachable goal at the moment. It is shown that “as many as half of new HIV infections are caused by the sharing of injection equipment contaminated with HIV, either directly due to injection drug use, through unprotected sex with someone who acquired HIV infection through injection drug use, or birth to a mother who acquired HIV infection through these means” (Murphy and Knowles, 2000). Not only do the sharing of needles cause the spread of disease between the people using them, but it can be passed down from mothers to their children, and become a vicious cycle.
So what do we do, give addicts needles to stop the spread of disease, or take away the needle programs in hope that people will stop using drugs? People are going to continue to use drugs regardless of how hard the government fights to stop them. The war on drugs not only costs a lot of money but it really is not getting us anywhere. Although giving addicts clean needles to use may be like giving matches to a pyromaniac, it is a way for people to stop the spread of disease between millions of people. If the government would spend more money on the funding of needle programs, it will pose as an open door for addicts wanting and needing to get rehabilitated.
Livio, S.K. (2010, April 8). Retrieved from New Jersey Real Time News website: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/needle_exchange_pilot_programs.html
Murphy J. & Knowles, B. (2000, June 15). Are Needle Exchange Programs a Good Idea? Retrieved from http://www.speakout.com/activism/issue_briefs/1352b-1.html
Norton, A. (2010, March 11). Do Needle Exchange Programs Really Work? Retrieved from Reuter Health Website: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62A4EC20100311
Szalavitz, M. (2009, May 16). Retrieved from TIME website: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1898073,00.html
So what do we do, give addicts needles to stop the spread of disease, or take away the needle programs in hope that people will stop using drugs? People are going to continue to use drugs regardless of how hard the government fights to stop them. The war on drugs not only costs a lot of money but it really is not getting us anywhere. Although giving addicts clean needles to use may be like giving matches to a pyromaniac, it is a way for people to stop the spread of disease between millions of people. If the government would spend more money on the funding of needle programs, it will pose as an open door for addicts wanting and needing to get rehabilitated.
Livio, S.K. (2010, April 8). Retrieved from New Jersey Real Time News website: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/needle_exchange_pilot_programs.html
Murphy J. & Knowles, B. (2000, June 15). Are Needle Exchange Programs a Good Idea? Retrieved from http://www.speakout.com/activism/issue_briefs/1352b-1.html
Norton, A. (2010, March 11). Do Needle Exchange Programs Really Work? Retrieved from Reuter Health Website: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62A4EC20100311
Szalavitz, M. (2009, May 16). Retrieved from TIME website: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1898073,00.html
