Elizabeth Furse: “as cochair and cofounder of the Diabetes Caucus, I rise today to oppose H.R. 3717. I believe this bill has absolutely…”

“as cochair and cofounder of the Diabetes Caucus, I rise today to oppose H.R. 3717. I believe this bill has absolutely nothing to do with public health but everything to do with election year politics. Now if we want to reduce drug use, let us get drug addicts into drug treatment programs. And in Tacoma, Washington, 43 percent of the new recruits into a methadone treatment program were referred from a needle exchange program. If we are in a drug war, let us not get rid of one of the weapons in that war. The State of Oregon uses needle exchange programs as just one part of the State's drug prevention program. We have heard a lot about AIDS. Well, let me tell my colleagues that, while needle exchange programs may seem unpleasant to some Members in this House, the fact remains that it is one of the most effective strategies to reduce the rate of HIV infection amongst a population that is high in risk. Let us do what is right for the people, not what is right for our elections. Let us vote against H.R. 3717.”