Why Government Restrictions on The Needle Exchange Program Is a Bad Thing

There is recent talk of banning the needle exchange program. If you don’t know what that program entails, you would think it was in support of exchanging needles with drug users. In reality, it was created to prevent HIV from spreading. Drug abuse is a hot topic right now and is a continuous growing problem here in the United States.

In Recent News

Recently the U.S. Government has put a ban on funding the needle exchange program which should be a cause for concern for everyone. People think the program enables users to use without spreading the disease, which is true. It does so much more than that. According to the CDC, the average cost of a prevented HIV infection from the exchange program costs between 4,000 dollars to 12,000 dollars. To treat someone who is infected with HIV is 190,000 dollars. Guess who gets to pay for that? That’s right, responsible tax payers.

When the Program Was Founded

The needle exchange program was created in the 1980’s to help drug abusers dispose of their needles in order to prevent HIV from spreading. While it may not stop anyone from doing drugs, it definitely helps the safety for everyone else. There are multiple exchange programs in other countries to ensure the safety for people around the globe.

The program also offers advice to people who may be suffering from drug abuse to avoid or manage overdosing, advice for safer injecting practices and drug treatment support.

Why Is This So Important?

The needle exchange program is more than just preventing a disease — it is a cost effective teaching method to help people who struggle with drug abuse. If you feel like you are safe because you are not a drug user, you are wrong. HIV can also be passed during sex, and if your partner doesn’t disclose this information to you, it could be too late. That is why it is important that the government continues to fund the needle exchange program so you and future generations to come aren’t dealing with a widespread HIV epidemic.

Eric Simmons is a health writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Odyssey House. Follow on Twitter.