The United States of America has been contending with adverse social and economic effects of the drug abuse, namely of heroin, since the foundation of this country. Our initial attempt to outlaw heroin with the Harrison Narcotic Act of 1914 resulted in the U.S. having the worst heroin problem in the world (Tooley 540). Although the legislative actions regarding heroin hitherto produced ominous results that rarely affected any individuals other than the addict and his or her family, the late twentieth century brings rise to the ever-infringing AIDS epidemic in conjunction with heroin abuse. The distribution of clean needles to intravenous (IV) drug users is being encouraged in an attempt to prevent the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from sharing "contaminated needles" (Glantz 1077). It is the contention of this paper to advocate the establishment and support of needle exchange programs for intravenous drug users because such programs reduce the spread of HIV and do not cause an increase of drug use. This can be justified simply by examining the towering evidence that undoubtedly supports needle exchange programs and the effectiveness of their main objective to prev

Unlike some of their European counterparts, needle exchange programs in the U.S. do not advocate the use of vending machines to dispense hypodermic needles (Fuller 10). American programs understand the grave importance of regular contact between the addict and caring members of society who inform addicts about various avenues of health care and recovery during each visit (Fuller 10). The assistant director of the Adult Clinical AIDS Program at Boston Medical Center, Jon Fuller, feels that this intimate approach by American programs conveys "a powerful message to addicts that their lives and well-being are still valued by the community" despite their inability to "break the cycle of addictive behavior" (10).

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The frustration of dealing with federal and public resistance is compounded by state laws forbidding individuals from possessing or distributing hypodermic needles and syringes that are enforced by all but four states in the U.S. (Glantz 1078). As a result, needle exchange programs across the country must evade prosecution regularly. The Chai project is a group of public safety advocates based in New Brunswick, New Jersey that distributes sterile needles and syringes, condoms, and valuable information about diseases such as HIV despite interference from local authorities who are required to enforce laws with which they may or may not agree (Green 15). Diana McCague, founder of the Chai project, was arrested after giving an undercover detective a sterile pack of hypodermic needles (Green 15). The judge hearing the case, Terrill Brenner, praised McCague's undeniably effective contribution to public safety but was forced by law to convict her of illegally distributing drug paraphernalia (Green 15). McCague wonders "What kind of society ...we live in that people are arrested for saving lives?" (Green 15).

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Approximate Word count = 1795
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)