The syringe in the sandbox
Quoted from http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/08/08/EDS9RET9T2.DTL:
SAN FRANCISCO doesn't want syringes in its sandboxes - or anywhere else in public. But that's not to say a clean-needle giveaway program should end. It just needs to be managed more sensibly.
The city hands out, no questions asked, an enormous number of needles, more than 2 million per year at last count. The reason: the city has an estimated 25,000 injection drug users. Among this crowd, shared needles can pass along hepatitis and HIV, but clean syringes will cut down on infection. It's a real-world accommodation to the drug abuse that exists.
This humane and well-intended program has run for years, but it has reached the breaking point as far as public trust. Why? Because dirty needles show up in public places where users congregate and toss them away.
They're on sidewalks, lawns, in alleys and doorways. Intended to minimize risk, the needles can do just the opposite, if a tainted one jabs a passerby accidentally. This risk is hard to measure because there are no firm numbers on accidental infections from dirty needles.
But the tossed-out syringes come with symbolic value. What kind of city allows its population to freely dump such potentially deadly waste on the civic lap? Parents, pedestrians, visitors - just about anyone - must wonder what sort of geniuses run City Hall when they step over one on the ground. Right now, the program amounts to a giveaway with no requirement or provisions for returning the needles or disposing of them safely. If users won't take responsibility, then the city needs to step in.
It's past time to clean up a program that the public has generally supported. Several steps are worth trying though not all may work.
First, users need to return the needles for safe disposal. More clinics are needed to handle this task though no neighborhood wants such activity. Metal carry kits can allow users to store used syringes until they can be returned.
Also, homeless workers and park clean-up crews should be equipped with disposal boxes. The city should strongly consider the higher cost of retractable needles that can minimize the danger of accidental jabs - though users prefer the customary design. It's a sad commentary on San Francisco's politics that we even have to say that public safety must take priority over the addicts' preferences.
It's time to tighten up this program before it leads to a loss of innocent life.
6 comments:
Leave it to active junkies to fuck up a program designed to help promote safety and health in the IV community by carelessly throwing away their used needles.
I am all for needle exchanges. They certainly don't promote more drug use, but offer a drug user a safe way to use, without spreading HIV and HEP-C. I live in an area, where there is no such program, you can get clean needles, but not freely, and not without a hassle, in fact it's easier to get the drugs than it is the needles.
I personally am not one of those addicts who like the needle. I know some do, some don't. Regardless of the fact, they are dangerous, and how is any other county, or city in the U.S. going to justify these programs when they look at S.F. and point fingers and say see, look.
I don't blame the citizens of S.F. they should be outraged, I am recovering addict, and I am outraged.
Bring in dirty needles and only then get the same amount back of new ones. That might even make it condusive to pick up ones others left on the ground. Dope fiends can't be bothered with disposl unless theres something in it for them.
San Francisco just downgraded the HIV health crisis from an epidemic to a situation that is endemic (http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=2025) This is in no small part due to the needle exchange program. This article is misinforming by leading the reader to believe that the city in any way underwrites needle exchange. It also is an editorial OPINION that is not based on statistical data or an even remote understanding of the facts despite of bevy of information available on the Web. (for only one example, http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=4&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fidu%2Ffacts%2FAED_IDU_SYR.pdf&ei=QunARviRKqaMgwPMwKDmCw&usg=AFQjCNGyNSpb6-RST65vZq7CYjcXPPZ5oQ&sig2=kmyzj6GQOLL1wYbD1V0oeg) Any expense they would suggest the city incur on this program would be an additional one. The free needles are provided by the manufacturer and are generally one-offs not suitable for sale or use by the general public. In order to restock one's needles through needle exchange one has to return the unused needles in the red sharps containers that are distributed for free as well. They are also provided for free by some local pharmacies like Walgreen's.
One might consider the role of law enforcement in regards to the quick and careless ditching of dirty needles. Though somewhat free from being followed or searched when entering or exiting a free needle exchange site, users are subject to arrest and mistreatment if caught with this contraband on the street where they live. The tossing of these items most likely is in the interest of avoiding incarceration rather then mere carelessness about their disposal. Most IV users I know (knew would be more true these days) were somewhat fanatical about the care and disposal of their syringes. Also at the distribution sites are access to badly needed health care and recovery treatment. It is one way to coral a specific audience of IV users for the distribution of information that is in everyone's better interest. Some exchanges distribute sandwiches, personal hygiene packets with soap and toothpaste, condoms, safe sex literature and subway tokens (That's federal money for all who might think it cost's the city a dime). The people who work the needle exchanges are volunteers giving back to their community in a way few have the stomach or inclination to do. They are unsung heroes in the world of social services.
Needle Exchange is just that ... needles being exchanged for ones that are not contaminated. It is the ONLY program for prevention of infectious diseases for people afflicted with addiction. The money suggested for forcing users to act in a certain way would be more effectively spent in rehabilitation services.
It is so important to take the opportunity to be well informed before we take a stand on issues that effect public safety. It is not enough to happen upon a used syringe and be outraged at the possibilities. Medical waste disposal by the health care industry is a far bigger problem and a much more urgent threat to the safety of the public at large. Google medical waste, ocean dumping and public beaches and then try and sleep easy tonight.
I'm stomping off the soap box now. Normal supportive and encouraging dialog can resume.
Definitely.. People should be required to return old needles before they can get new ones. That's how they do it in Seattle..
I hate it when my personal life makes it impossible for me to view political issues clearly.
I stand by my "Fuck Needles." They are stored in the badlands of my mind.
I'm jumping on wayward son's soapbox. He says it much more eloquently then I and I am certain he is more informed. I just know how it is to be an IV drug addict with a disease that could have been prevented with the needle program.
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