Make sure you read Jen and Charlie's posts here and here which detail State Rep Angel Cruz's proposed legislation to ban needle exchange programs from operating within 500 feet of a residence or school.

Then read the reply from a staffer for Rep Cruz below.

My favorite part is the implication that Jen is writing anonymously. As many of you know, Jen Murphy is the current chair of Philly for Change, and she worked very hard, and very publicly, to help elect Maria Quinones-Sanchez in the 7th City Council district.

Enjoy! --Ray

Dear Jennifer,

I read your reply you sent me at Representative Cruz’s office, you mentioned the Philadelphia Zoo as the closest location to your home, the admission would cost $18.00 per person, (by the way the admission to the Zoo in January and February is based on the daily temperature) luckily for us I found the Philadelphia Art Museum, right down the street form your house, and admission is whatever you want to pay on Sundays. If by chance the Representatives bill does not pass, are you willing to let Prevention Point use your address? Or maybe the six other people, who had comments, would be willing to allow the use of their addresses, at least the ones who live in Philadelphia.

Jennifer, you said banning the needle exchange program is reactionary and short sighted; the Representative is not banning the program. He is trying to stop the distribution of needles in residential areas in his district. I live within the area that the needles are given out, I’ve walked the streets at the sight of the mobile vans, there are thousands of needles on the ground, in the grass, on the steps of homes, by the railroad under pass there are so many empty needle package bags they were unable to be counted.