I have heard of the needle exchange program, and I think it is a good idea, wherein IV drug users can acquire clean, sterile needles on the tab of the municipal government. Although the ultra-conservative Americans would regard it as defiling the fiber of the US, the fact is the drug users will seek whatever means necessary for their next fix. Rather than allowing the transmission rate of HIV and Hepatitis C among others to skyrocket, the public health sector provides clean needles to avert transmission. It has been successful, despite the controversy.
A new program, originated in San Fransisco, California takes this concept to another dimension. In addition to supplying the conventional "clean needle", this institution provides medical assistance in the form of a nurse, as well. Additionally, this is all being set in a "private booth" framework, where these IV drug users will have confidentiality and protection. It should be noted that the staff will not assist, nor condone the activities, but merely to safeguard the lives of the participants should an overdose or some other eventuality occur. After their session of IV drugs, the user will be able to "chill out" in a small cafeteria of sorts and have crumpets and coffee.
What has to be very carefully treaded is the line of condoning activity. Though the mission statement includes the public health department's standpoint, attaching a small breakfast hall adds creature comforts that should not be associated with the lifestyle. Having a nurse may even be excessive, perhaps, because it makes the lifestyle more socially normal. While I think the idea of a safe area to do this activity is good, it may attract more homeless people to utilize drugs if they haven't already. For the homeless person, this is a free meal and a quick medical exam. Thus, the problem then becomes curbing homelessness - and that is a big problem to handle.
As far as "recruiting" new users of drugs, almost every study shows that rate of people becoming new drug users - hard drug users - is mutually exclusive of regulations. The people will do it whether the law wants them to or not. It seems to be the case with habitual marijuana users, cocaine users, heroin users and so on - and it makes sense; those people with addictive type personalities very easily adapt the lifestyle. Those who do not have that personality usually do not. California's ambitions do not encourage the lifestyle, they make it safer - albeit at a social cost to the homeless perhaps.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SUPERVISED_INJECTIONS?SITE=CASRP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
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3 comments:
D'oh, I didn't look far enough down to see that Amy commented on the same interesting event...
My fear is a good percentage of these people are parents... If the government takes steps of acceptance, then why should child protective services do the same and allow confirmed addicts to have custody of their children? Point being, this seems to create a lot more problems than it will solve. Is there a reduced risk to overdose because of this plan? In my opinion contracting AIDS is not the worst hazard of IV drug addiction. In my opinion anyway, the social implications and detriment to children growing up with addicted parents and the anger they return to the world in their later years should be the state's concern. For instance, if an addicted parent contracts HIV by using a dirty needle, because they were desperate for a fix, the parent will pass away; the children will learn to accept this. However, if Mom can get herself a clean fix at a state facility, she will be likely to do that more often and becomes less likely to provide sufficient care to her children.
I think this country is going too far with making life convenient for people who make destructive choices, something we all do. It is hard to teach someone a lesson if there are no consequences. Most addicts need to hit their personal "rock-bottom" to get their lives back on track. I wonder how is rock-bottom possible with government facilities condoning IV drug habits. For some addicts, learning they have contracted HIV is their rock-bottom. From that point, they can turn around and make amends. The last memories their children will have of them will be of a clean and sober Mom or Dad, who they can be proud of.
Thanx for reading!
~VCSmith
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