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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 25, 2006)
I Clackamas Print Commentary 3 Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006 ace off: new needles for old \eedle exchange - the perfect Muti on to a prickly situation en Maras Additionally, exchange programs have shown to not only decrease dan Ktor-In-Chief gerous practices by the user, but also encourage recovery. One study by the Every day in this country 38 people National Institute of Health concluded [of the advanced symptoms of AIDS, that “individuals in areas with needle lording to the Center for Disease exchange programs have an increased Lol, 35 percent of AIDS cases were likelihood of entering drug treatment |rted to have been caused by intra- programs.” A very real danger in any city is Lus drug use. Do the math and it lonies apparent that each day one the threat of improperly discarded dirty [on dies from shooting with a dirty needles, which can often be discarded [die. These are in the worst places, such as parks and playgrounds. [ths which could be While this is often treated Doted. as a joke, they can pose rhe tactic used “...needle |ld be needle a real danger for infec exchange pro Range programs, in tion of even more people. When exchange programs [ch users are asked grams do not [xchange their old are implemented, the num encourage use, ber of discarded needles Inges for new ones, but merely [old ones being dis- decreases because they [d of safely. The can be disposed of by pro work as a form fessionals. Ling methamphet- of damage One often used argu Le problem is con- ment is that HIV/AIDS is reduction. ” Lting to the need [such a program in a method of natural (or [land, which has supernatural) selection to rid the earth of the “dirty ■ been known as junkies,” and that some- lot-bed of heroin [e Many critics say exchange pro how the users deserve their disease ps merely reinforce bad habits and because they brought it on themselves. ■users an excuse to continue their The problem with this statement is that ■active cycle. But herein lies the the social aspects are not considered. Many of these people have families, ■problem. I has been shown through numer- often completely innocent of any crime. Iindependent studies that needle They can also have sexual partners, Inge programs do not encourage sometimes unknowing of the status. It is ■but merely work as a form of dam- easy to dehumanize people who are dif leduction. The psychological effects ferent, but we must remember that every [diction take control over the actions addict is a living, breathing person with dreams, hopes, friends and a family no |e user. there is reason to believe that para different than you or I. Right now the people of America lalia laws which include syringes lot deter use. They only make users are under the coercion of an archaic [ likely to engage in risky injection strangle-hold of a drug policy. Unless ■ices, because there is no altema- we do something to fix it soon we can only expect to see the repeated patterns which manifested during prohibition. Within the neZt 15 minutes one new person will be jrifected with HIV because of a dirty needle. Their chance of surviv ing current^ stands at zero. Primary problems persist in spite of progressive program Derek Erickson exchange. So what did they do? They bought a pack of new needles to begin \ The Clackamas Print with, and then shared them for some time before they went to the exchange. Heroin is an increasing trend in the These users still shared their needles Portland area. Studies are showing due to lethargy, and then grabbed some that the age of users is lowering and new ones for free. They shared the the problem isn’t showing any signs needles because the needle exchange of going away. So what do we do to was too far away, it was inconvenient combat this issue? Why don’t we hand to shield themselves from infectious out some free needles so heroin users diseases. So we’re paying for a pro gram that is only used can “safely” shoot up some of the time. their smack, without If users are still shar worrying about infec ing needles, only using “ HI V is tious disease? the needle exchange Heaven forbid these still spread when it’s convenient people see consequenc amongst users. for them, then what’s es for their actions out being prevented here? side of the law. The They’re still HIV is still being same studies that show overdosing. spread amongst users. the user age lower They’re still overdos ing also state that the They still steal, ing. They still steal, method of using her rob, and do rob and do whatever it oin has changed. The takes to get the drug. whatever it • kids are smoking their * The only difference is junk, not shooting it. takes to get the that when they’re near “Chasing the dragon” drug.’’ the exchange they can is a more acceptable pick up some nice new way of administration sharp syringes and amongst those who see trade in the ones that shooting heroin as dan they have used until they don’t func gerous and dirty. We have spent plenty of tax dollars tion anymore. I’m no Darwinist, blit even if the talking about the dangers of heroin use, focusing mostly on the worry of needle exchange worked as intended, infectious diseases, specifically HIV who are we saving? We’re saving and Hepatitis. Thanks to the Portland heroin addicts who have most likely needle exchange program, that fear ignored legal implications, count has been removed from the heroin less rehabilitation program and cries from friends and family. These former community. Is it important to keep users from human beings have given up who switching to needles? I mean, heroin is they are for a cheap high that used heroin right? Not quite. Shooting her to seem scary to those who didn’t oin is a far more potent and addicting indulge with them. The fear is gone, method of administration. Overdosing the high remains, the diseases aren’t while smoking heroin is nearly impos going away and we’re all paying for it sible, withdrawals are less likely to in one way or another. be lethal and addiction takes longer to grab a hold of the userx Having talked to a nuhaber of heroin addicts, most of them staled that they began by smoking it. Evedtpally that wasn’t enough and they knewthat they could receive free needles dowrkat the ■ Photo illustration by Jeff Sorensen Clackamas Print (Clackamas Print 19600 S. Molalla Ave. iregon City, OR 97045 |03) 657-6958 ex. 2309 le C lackamas Print is a weekly student publication and is nbuted every Wednesday except finals week P, ditor - in -C hief : Ben Maras C opy E ditors : Katie Weinberg, E. E. A d A ssistant : Megan Cline S taff W riters : Courtney CXByme, P roduction A ssistants : Megan West Alexander Case, Derek Erickson, Justin Goe, Elizabeth Hitz, Frank Jordan, Mike Kimberling, Megan Koler, Adam J. Manley Matthew Olson, Joe Piazzisi, Kim Schiewe, Tayo Stalnaker, Kyle Steele, David Stark N ews E ditor : Katie Wilson C ommentary E ditor : Laura Cameron F eature E ditor : C.J. Ciaramella S ports E ditor : Mike Giùdice A&E E ditor : Jadon Triplett P hoto E ditor : Jeff Sorensen A d A ìanager : Sam Krause Koler, Tayo Stalnaker, Adam J. Manley, Brandon Huddleston, Kraig Hansen P hotographers : Jake Dannen D epartment A dvisor : Linda Vogt D epartment A ssistant . Pat Lichen Go,ir.s: The C lackamas Print aims to report the news in an honest, unbiased, professional manner. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the stu dent body, college administration, its faculty or The Print. E-mail comments to chiefed@dackamas. edu.
