87 replies to this topic

[ducky]

The article in the Bee today regarding the Folsom City Council considering allowing purchase of hypodermic needles without prescriptions raises questions for me. The title of the article was "Folsom Cool To Needle Measure." I think the council memeber are hesitant and rightly so. Even if you get past the idea that this bascially condones drug use, there are other things to consider.

They are not talking a needle exchange, which, granted, would require government money. I guess if there is a plus side at least it doesn't cost tax dollars. They are talking about allowing anyone to purchase needles even if they don't have a medical condition.

My question is if it isn't a needle "exchange" what happens to all the dirty needles? The drug users will be safe because they can go get nice, clean 40-cent needles whenever they need one. In the meantime does that mean our children will be finding the dirty needles in the park sandbox?

Would there be a liability issue if someone gets stuck by an improperly disposed of needle and gets one of the diseases they are trying to combat by this program?
Maybe there should be some way to track who gets these needles to make sure they are properly disposed of. Just a thought.

[bobb]

The question for me is how do we educate those people who legally get needles to dispose of them properly. I have personnaly been stuck with a needle disposed of by residents in Folsom who for medical resaons use them in the course of my employment. The key is not how we get them but having a program by which they can be disposed of properly. If we are going to require companies to sell CRT's to have a recylcing program how much more important to have the sellers of needles have a recylcing program in place. Get suck by a needle and see your potential life changing event. Get tuck my a computer monitor and.........

[forumreader]

Why? Why does Folsom need a needle program?

What is wrong with a system whereby physicians write prescriptions for those who need needle for medical conditions? If you don't have a legitimate medical condition, then why do you need a needle?

[Ahnold]

Why?  Why does Folsom need a needle program?

What is wrong with a system whereby physicians write prescriptions for those who need needle for medical conditions?  If you don't have a legitimate medical condition, then why do you need a needle?

As I understand it - it's the local county health agency capitulating and saying they'd rather make it easier for low income drug users to get clean needles instead of actually trying to educate them or make it harder for them to get the drugs in the first place. The rationale appears to be that since the druggies are going to get the drugs anyway, then let's provide them with clean needles so we can curb the spread of infectious diseases, but I really don't see the wisdom in that.

[ducky]

I also don't see the wisdom in making it easier to do drugs. It seems if you increase the availability of the needles you will only be enabling.

Also, the more needles in circulation the more risk for the general population to come into contact with dirty needles. Even if you give addicts information about proper disposal, I don't think they will be likely to comply. Someone who no longer cares about killing themselves with drugs isn't likely to be concerned about hygiene.

[mylo]

They obviously aren't concerned in the first place, given they will gladly use a used needle if a fresh one is not supplied for them.

[folsom500]

I have not read this whole thread, but I have read in the past that some cities have a needle EXCHANGE program which improves the collection of dirty needles and keeps them off the street.
If a needle program is set up - it should be an exchange type program.

WE are not going to change Addicts habits by making clean needles hard to obtain. And we are not going to encourage more addicts by setting a needle exchange program.

These programs in other areas have shown large decreases in needle related health issues.


F500

[john]

the heck with them! If they're dumb enough to be using drugs and sticking God-knows-what in to their system, it's Darwinism at its best. We don't need an expensive program to rid the planet of these people.

[mylo]

Needle exchange would be great!

Just sign your name here, and here, and step right inside the "shower" room.. we'll get you your new needles right away, sir.

[camay2327]

We do not need a needle program here in Folsom.


City Council vote this down!!!!!!

[Steve Heard]

We do not need a needle program here in Folsom.
City Council vote this down!!!!!!

I think the objections come down to fears that offering certain services; needles, free clinics, shelters, and soup kitchens might attract more of those who would use said services.

Is that correct?

Not judging anyone, but is that the bottom line?

[DrKoz23]

Last time I checked... drug use was illegal. This program would do nothing but aid a drug addicts habit. Why should the government pass something that does nothing to help these individuals break their illegal activity.

Sounds like another illegal immigrant license bill. Government trying to support something that is ILLEGAL. I am very much against this... and not for the "type of people" that this program would bring to town. I am against it for the moral and ethical reasons.

[bishmasterb]

Prohibiting needle sales to curb drug use makes about as much sense as prohibiting glasses to curb alcohol use.

Now that I think about it, that's a great idea! A ban on cups and glasses. The scourge of alcohol will be banished from the land forever! Man, I really need to become a politician.

[tessieca]

Will a needle program of any sort attract people to Folsom who need these prescription-free needles? Light rail opens October 15.

[DrKoz23]

Prohibiting needle sales to curb drug use makes about as much sense as prohibiting glasses to curb alcohol use.

Now that I think about it, that's a great idea! A ban on cups and glasses. The scourge of alcohol will be banished from the land forever! Man, I really need to become a politician.

Oooops! You forgot one thing. Drinking alcohol (after turning 21) is LEGAL. Drug use... especially shooting up is ILLEGAL. Think of a better comparison next time... maybe politics isn't your forte.