Lynn C. Woolsey: “when we are talking about AIDS, we are talking about an epidemic. This should not be a discussion that is an opportunity…”

“when we are talking about AIDS, we are talking about an epidemic. This should not be a discussion that is an opportunity to play politics. Banning needle exchange will not help save our children, or anyone else. In fact, a ban on needle exchange actually threatens lives. More than half of all children with AIDS contracted the virus from mothers who were intravenous drug users or the partners of intravenous drug users. That is right, we are talking about how our children contract AIDS. In 1995, the National Academy of Sciences found that needle exchange programs do reduce the spread of AIDS and do not lead to the increase of drug use. In fact, do not overlook the fact that a drug user ready to take the first positive step through a needle exchange program is apt to take further steps towards recovery. As well, this amendment prevents communities from using their own private funds, and that is what I call a violation of local control.”