On the front page of the current Public Record is the headline ”Push Underway To Curb Needle Swap Locations”. The legislation, HB 2185, was introduced by Representative Angel Cruz of North Philadelphia, and referred to the Urban Affairs Committee, which he is a member of.
Cruz has valid concerns,
”Public safety is my number one concern and citizens’ being poked by stray syringes is inexcusable. People shouldn’t have to worry about getting injured while walking in their neighborhood.”
(Hopefully soon the Public Record will put a link to the article on their homepage)
I agree that no one wants dirty needles in their neighborhood, and while I don’t think the problem is as bad as it is being made out, one needle on the street is one too many.
The problem is that the 500 foot buffer from residences seems like a big hurdle to overcome, and could effectively wipe out these important services. In addition, neighborhoods are where people, including intravenous drug users, live and moving the exchange programs out of them only decreases their effectiveness.
According to the Drug Policy Alliance, 34% of reported HIV infections are among intravenous drug users and their sexual partners. Needle exchange programs have the possibility of reducing infection rates drastically, and are a needed component of the fight against HIV and AIDS.
While I believe Rep. Cruz is well intentioned, the negative consequences of his legislation would far outweigh the benefits. I do believe there is a way to solve neighborhood concerns regarding the increased use of needles around exchange sites without closing them down.
Security agents, increased police patrol around sites, or even participation by neighborhood associations would curtail the problems Rep. Cruz is trying to address. My basic point is that leaders in City Hall should focus on ways to curtail residents’ quality of life concerns, but we shouldn’t use a blanket approach from Harrisburg that will tie our hands with this important tool in our fight against HIV.
Calling Cruz's office right now!
This is very troubling. I am so angry that one of our own Philadelphia Democrats introduced this legislation. If it gets through committee, it will no doubt pass the moderate-to-conservative PA Legislature.
Charlie, your post is right on.
Just to bring some more research to light: Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania ran an eight year study of a Philadelphia needle exchange program. Within the eight years, the rate of new HIV infections dropped from 6.8% to less than 0.05% per year.
I do not want to minimize the concerns of parents and neighbors about used syringes littering their playgrounds and streets, but Charlie points out what should be the response to such a problem, and that does not include a state law that would in effect eliminate needle exchange programs in Philadelphia.
Cruz's phone is (215) 291-5643. I am calling and telling him that he should work with his constituents and the needle exchange program to come up with a solution together. This should not be something decided by the PA Legislature!