House Dems Reverse Obama, Remove Ban On Needle Exchange Funding

[ruggerson]

"House Democrats have reversed a decision by President Obama and removed a ban on federal funding for needle-exchange programs that he included in the 2010 budget. Including the ban broke a campaign pledge and the flip-flop set off outrage in the gay community and among HIV/AIDS activists. Twenty-six activists were arrested Thursday in the Capitol protesting the policy.

"For us this is a major positive development," said Allan Clear of the Harm Reduction Coalition. "We're optimistic it will stay out. We don't think Democrats would do this unless they thought they could keep it out."

"The fact that Democrats took it out in subcommittee means they're willing to take it all the way," said Bill Piper, director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance.

Syringe exchange programs have been demonstrated to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS but opponents charge that they encourage drug use.

The needle-exchange question goes to the heart of a seemingly never-ending debate in Washington: Should policy be made based on sound science or used to drive a wedge between the electorate? Obama has placed himself squarely in the sound science camp, which is why his decision touched off such anger.

FULL STORY

[Duckhunter935]

1. Just put it on the credit card

We are doing that with everything else

[Lone_Star_Dem]

3. Reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS saves taxpayers money.

It was an asinine place to cut corners in the first place.

[Ocracoker16]

6. yes, prevention is a lot cheaper than treatment

[chill_wind]

10. YES it is. K & R. n/t

[blondeatlast]

5. When will the American people make that 10:30 PM bully call to W?

He's responsible for running the card WAY past its limit. It wasn't just paid off before he took office, we had a huge savings account then too.

[blondeatlast]

2. Good for our House gang. I'm all in favor of saving lives and health==

and needle exchanges do both.

[Mojambo]

4. Great news.

My personal approval rating of Congress is ticking up lately.

[bigwillq]

7. Good.

:thumbsup:

[jgraz]

8. The real question is: why did Obama reverse himself?

It seems like this issue was flying below the radar. What possible reason could Obama have for abandoning his campaign promise?

[paulsby]

9. excellent. as a cop, i fully support needle exchange

it's a public health matter. it's that simple. WA state, where i live does not "control" syringes. i am against any state laws that require a prescription to buy syringes. that's ridiculous. we don't have one, but many states do. i am against the war on drugs, in general, but even if i thought locking up drugs users was ok, they shouldn't be at significant risk of death, abcess, merely because they can't get a clean needle.

[blondeatlast]

11. As an insulin-dependent diabetic, I applaud your reply.

On my honeymoon, I realized I hadn't packed my syringes and it took SEVEN pharmacies in Waikiki before I found one that would honor my out-of-state prescription. That one made a simple phone call to MedicAlert--and wished me a happy honeymoon. It took them all of two minutes.

I don't care what someone needs a clean needle for; I'd just prefer they have one.

[paulsby]

12. i agree. hawaii is a massive nannystate

i used to work as a cop there. it's very liberal, but it's nannystate liberal, unfortunately. WA state is much more reasonable

[ruggerson]

14. well put

the "it promotes drug use" argument is just more rightwing misdirection. They're not particularly concerned about THIS right to life argument.

[geek tragedy]

13. Good. Where he's wrong, they should correct him. n/t

[guruoo]

15. Perhaps, as it was planned all along. n/t

;-)