14. Position Statement on Needle Handouts to Addicts

Providing needles to drug addicts should cease because this practice facilitates and enables illegal drug use which results in unpredictable behaviour, crime, violence, rising medical costs, impaired newborns, and other societal problems. 'Studies' of needle handout/ exchange programmes are flawed, biased, and inconclusive.

BACKGROUND

Needle exchange programmes began in Amsterdam, started by a drug user advocacy group called the Junkie Union. Subsequent programmes began in Tacoma and San Francisco in 1988, and New Haven and New York City in 1990, with the theoretical goal of decreasing AIDS. Many needle distribution sites operate with no lower age limit, no restrictions on the number of needles distributed, and no requirement of proof of addiction.

RATIONALE

No valid scientific evidence has shown that needle handouts to addicts are more effective than aggressive outreach / prevention, education, intervention, and treatment programmes in the reduction of the HIV virus. The 'studies' which are cited by proponents indicate that there is no clear evidence that needle exchange programmes decrease HIV infection rates. Moreover, according to some experts, the rise in heroin use is due to the 'green light' given to drug use through needle programmes.

Drug user advocacy and pro-legalisation groups are using the issue of needle handouts to promote their theory of 'harm reduction' which holds that the use of illicit drugs can be made manageable and less harmful to the user. In their promotion of personal drug use, pro-legalisation organisations encourage the establishment of institutions to teach 'responsible use' of illicit drugs rather than avoidance of the use of such drugs.

Needle programmes provide 'user friendly' settings which facilitate drug use, thus putting communities at risk for increased criminal and violent behaviour caused by the use of psychoactive and addictive drugs.

Needle handouts perpetuate drug addiction, enable drug use, and risk increased health costs. Funds allocated to needle handout programmes would be better spent on prevention, intervention and interdiction. The most humanitarian and compassionate approach for the addict is intervention and treatment - mandated or voluntary.

Drugs are illiegal because they are dangerous - They are not dangerous because they are illegal.