[Alex3917]

"HIV is largely a preventable disease."

Except when the government is responsible for spreading the disease. 50% of all new infections come from intravenous drug use, and an even larger percentage are secondary to drug users. If you're gay then it's not illegal to use condoms, but if you're a heroin user then you can literally get put in jail for trying to use clean needles.

What's more, many black communities in the US have higher HIV rates than sub-Saharan Africa. Why? Because so many black males are in prison that it completely changes the sexual dynamics for everyone left on the outside. And further, many of those in prison contract the virus and then end up spreading it throughout the larger community once they get released.

[rkalla]

--------------- but if you're a heroin user then you can literally get put in jail for trying to use clean needles. ---------------

Many pharmacies have programs for drug users to buy clean needles, no-questions-asked for exactly this reason.

I am not negating what you said, I'm am sure there are elements of the program (or accessibility) that make it a less-than-perfect solution, but it does exist.

[VladRussian]

>Many pharmacies have programs for drug users to buy clean needles, no-questions-asked for exactly this reason.

unfortunately, not being a drug user i couldn't benefit from it. Once i needed to buy a syringe, and when i'd ask for it (it was here in Bay Area), they would make big eyes and refuse. Surprised, i tried a couple other places - the same. Until, at another place, they sold it to me and made sure that it packed so when i'm walking to the car, it wouldn't be visible.

[joegaudet]

Vancouver (where I live right now) has several needle exchanges, as well as, safe injection sites.

I was reading yesterday that coastal health is releasing a free crack pipe + cleaner kit.

Granted we are likely a bit more progressive then the rest of the country.

[Alex3917]

Yeah, Gabor Mate is doing some awesome things with OnSite. There's actually a really good interview with him here:

http://www.wpr.org/book/100307a.cfm

[fungi]

Australia (and particularly NSW) has a long running and very successful needle exchange program. The anti exchange (largely conservative christian) lobby has been basically silenced by its undoubted effectiveness.

[nl]

I don't think even the crazies here (Australia) bother lobbying against needle programs anymore.

Injecting rooms are a different story though...

[stanmancan]

Where I live in Canada we have clinics where people can get clean needles / properly dispose of used ones.

[pbhjpbhj]

>if you're a heroin user then you can literally get put in jail for trying to use clean needles.

// You know what's not illegal. Stopping injecting yourself with dirty needles.