Comments on: The Incongruity of Needle Exchanges http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/the_incongruity_of_needle_exchanges/ Online Journal of Politics and Foreign Affairs Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:23:30 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Joe R. http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/the_incongruity_of_needle_exchanges/comment-page-1/#comment-254588 Joe R. Thu, 20 Dec 2007 04:33:37 +0000 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2007/12/the_incongruity_of_needle_exchanges/#comment-254588 Even if a person only uses their own needle, it doesn't last forever. They dull over time, or get broken, so they'd have to be replaced eventually. The replacement will come from the easiest source, which, in the absence of some type of free or commercially available needle, will probably be from another drug user. Even if a person only uses their own needle, it doesn't last forever. They dull over time, or get broken, so they'd have to be replaced eventually. The replacement will come from the easiest source, which, in the absence of some type of free or commercially available needle, will probably be from another drug user.

]]> By: Steve http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/the_incongruity_of_needle_exchanges/comment-page-1/#comment-254331 Steve Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:55:25 +0000 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2007/12/the_incongruity_of_needle_exchanges/#comment-254331 <blockquote>The problem is, needles are cheap, and treating AIDS isn’t. </blockquote> Can someone explain something to me? How is <strong>not</strong> giving an addict a clean needle for every injection going to spread AIDS? A person isn't going to spontaneously generate the virus from using a previously used needle. It would have to have been used by an infected person first, right? So if a person keeps using the same needle exclusively and doesn't let anyone else use their needle isn't that safe? I understand the possibility of bacterial infection but then their not exactly cleaning the injection area with betadine or alcohol. So, what is the benefit of these needle exchange programs? Why don't we just teach them to not share needles?

The problem is, needles are cheap, and treating AIDS isn’t.

Can someone explain something to me? How is not giving an addict a clean needle for every injection going to spread AIDS? A person isn't going to spontaneously generate the virus from using a previously used needle. It would have to have been used by an infected person first, right? So if a person keeps using the same needle exclusively and doesn't let anyone else use their needle isn't that safe? I understand the possibility of bacterial infection but then their not exactly cleaning the injection area with betadine or alcohol. So, what is the benefit of these needle exchange programs? Why don't we just teach them to not share needles?

]]> By: Dave Schuler http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/the_incongruity_of_needle_exchanges/comment-page-1/#comment-254280 Dave Schuler Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:27:28 +0000 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2007/12/the_incongruity_of_needle_exchanges/#comment-254280 Isn't this a similar line of reasoning to that which has lead to bans on smoking and fatty foods? I.e. it's cheaper to do than treating the conditions that they lead to? I'm not being snotty, I'm trying to delineate where the argument makes sense and where it doesn't. Isn't this a similar line of reasoning to that which has lead to bans on smoking and fatty foods? I.e. it's cheaper to do than treating the conditions that they lead to? I'm not being snotty, I'm trying to delineate where the argument makes sense and where it doesn't.

]]> By: dutchmarbel http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/the_incongruity_of_needle_exchanges/comment-page-1/#comment-254233 dutchmarbel Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:15:07 +0000 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2007/12/the_incongruity_of_needle_exchanges/#comment-254233 It has the big advantage that you keep track of the dirty (and possibly infected) needles. Wouldn't want those lying around... It has the big advantage that you keep track of the dirty (and possibly infected) needles. Wouldn't want those lying around...

]]>