I am all for the needle-exchange program, because it would do a lot to help decrease the increasing AIDS rate among the blacks who use intravenous drugs, and among [heterosexual, and homosexual] blacks, in this country. (Yes, I saw the AIDS documentary on ABC, and to be honest, I find it quite unsettling that 68% of the newly diagnosed women, will be black.. and as a black woman, i am scared, even though, i am not sexually promiscuous, and have been in a monogamous relationship for 6 years, with a man who is faithful.. and do not use drugs..) I am in favor of this, for the exact same reasons I am in favor of them giving out condoms in maximum security prisons.

It has been stated, that a needle exchange program would not be correlated with an increase of intravenous drug users, but, helps in decreasing the number of HIV infections.

So, until a cure for HIV, and AIDS is found, it would be stupid to try and limit, whatever chance we have at decreasing the number of new infections..

It is for these reasons, and these reasons alone, that I am in favor of this, and nothing more.

Yes, I would rather see these people, in some form of rehab, as opposed to getting needles but, that would mean that the government would have to care more about it's constituents, than they do about oil, and money..

What are your thoughts on this?

For those of you who aren't familiar with this read about it here..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needle_exchange

Wow, I finally understand why you use that name. (Didn't mean to offend if I did.) Anyhow, it sounds like a good idea to me. No complaints. However, condom in prison? WTH? Why would they need them? On second thought don't answer that.

They would need condoms in prisons because you have men who are in there for a long time, who beat, and then rape the other men in there who are in for a shorter time..

And as a result, these men are released and resume their lives while unbeknownst to them, they are infected with HIV and AIDS, and other stds..

Distributing condoms in maximum security priosons would GREATLY help in decreasing the AIDS/HIV infection rate. But the state won't permit it because to give out condoms in prisons, would mean that they'd have to acknowledge that sex happens behind bars.. and that is something that they do not want to do.

Inmates have the right to get checked out if they think that something is wrong with them.. however they are not informed of such rights because the state does not want to shell out the money needed for their medical treatments.

If you watch this documentary on AIDS, then you can see exactly how these things would help decrease the increasing AIDS rate in this country.. and how our current administration remains ignorant of this problem.

http://h-c.sytes.net/index.php?showtopic=1907