Do you agree with the chief constable of North Wales Richard Brunstrom in giving druggies clean needles?

Question

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006420221,00.html

Answer 1

We have been giving drug addicts free needles for more than a decade in Australia and it certainly reduced the number of HIV, Hepatitis B and C cases. However - even though it is called an "exchange programme" here the addicts do not need to return the needles and that means they leave them lying around everywhere including the beaches. I am against it unless the addicts have to exchange the needles one-for-one for fresh ones so my kids don't have the risk of stepping on one.

Answer 2

I agree. If you tell a druggie to stop injecting, they wont listen and will probably use the same needle. But by giving them clean needles, atleast you can stop the spreading of diseases. The law has always been that if you go into any pharmacy in the UK and ask for a needle and syringe, they must give you one. So what the big deal, instead of having to go into a pharmacy, just get one from the vending machine. Step by step we can crack down on drug abuse, and we start by cutting down on infections...

Answer 3

I thought they have been doing that for some years in Wales.
I am glad that they are trying to prevent the use of shared needles as there is only a few that give up the drugs and money for rehab is limited.
My concern is that they don't get followed home from the clinic where the needles are distributed for the police to achieve their easy target for arrests in the region.

Answer 4

No

They should be given clean equipment and 100% pure drugs then the police should sit back and watch them OD.

Half the druggies are addicted to bog cleaner, the Heroin is cut so often there is almost nothing left so the first real trip druggies have is when they get given methadone when they get banged up.

Alternatively, put them inside and simply don't give them recreational drugs, or substitutes, Compulsory cold Turkey. Cure and deterrent in one.

Answer 5

I cna understand some of the logic, but really this isn't the way to nip the problem in the bud. If we just facilitate in a "clean" way the use of drugs we will never prevent thir use, all the while it looks to those who are vulnerablke to drugs that the Police are supporting "personal use". A strong, clear NO is the only solution.

Answer 6

If you look at this from a simple Cost/Benefit analysis to society, it makes a great deal of sense. The chief way of transmitting AIDS among users is dirty needles -- we've known this for ages.
When you consider the pennies spent to give a new needle against the thousands of pounds it takes to treat each HIV patient annualy, it makes a great deal of practical sense.

Some people will object and say that the government is giving tacit approval of drug use, but that's nonsense. It's merely a recognition that this thing is happening, and we have to try our best to cope as best we can, and to try as best we can to stem the spread of a vicious killer. I applaud the decision.

Answer 7

I quite like what they do in Switzerland. Give them the needles and give them the DRUGS, too.

Lets face it, all these people want is attention. If they want to lie about the place smacked out of their stupid faces all day, we should help them. They are a lot less bother to everyone when they are drugged up.

Answer 8

Yes there are lots of schemes around the country to get clean needles.
If we cant get the druggies to quit, at least lets cut down on the risk of them getting other diseases and draining an already overstretched NHS.

Answer 9

Yes

Answer 10

Yes I do agree with him. It will reduce the rate of infection for various diseases like Hepatisis & AIDS among others. You should look at it like the first step to helping the druggies cumb their habits