At least since 1993, Philadelphians and others in our metropol have had access to free dial up internet via the Critical Path Project. Although the internet has perhaps outgrown the screeching whistles and pops of the telephone modem, thousands of low income people at least have access to 56K.

Critpath.org has its origins in a book that “Comprehensive Anticipatory Design Scientist” Buckminster Fuller wrote with his protégé Kiyoshi Kuromiya in Philadelphia in 1981. Bucky’s work is being feted at the Whitney in New York at the moment. Kiyoshi Kuromiya’s legacy lives on in Philadelphia as the Critpath Internet Project, The AIDS Library, and ACT UP Philly.

With all the drama surrounding the Department of Human Services these past couple years their programs have come under increased scrutiny. Critpath.org got much of its funding through DHS grants, essentially with the goal of getting some internet services into the hands of poor Philadelphians. That funding won’t be renewed through DHS, which definitely needs to focus on its business of serving families, but we’re hoping the Mayor and the City can find funding elsewhere to keep this backbone of Philadelphia’s social justice internet up and running.

I encourage blog readers to read our sign-on letter

see what others have said and what else you can do:

Fax Mayor Nutter:
http://www.hallwatch.org/profiles/mayor/nutter

or even come to a community meeting:

Date: Friday, September 5th

Time: 9:30am

Location: The Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany, 330 South 13th Street (Between Pine and Spruce Streets)

Sincerely,

Adam Feldman
Reference and Public Services Librarian
AIDS Library and Critical Path Project
Philadelphia FIGHT
1233 Locust Street, 2nd floor
Philadelphia PA 19107

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.