Britain rebuffs (US) call to block anti-Aids needle exchanges

[Eugene]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/aids/story/0,7369,1516272,00.html

Britain rebuffs call to block anti-Aids needle exchanges

Sarah Boseley, health editor
Tuesday June 28, 2005
The Guardian

The US is pressing the UN to block the use of needle exchange
programmes in countries where drug use is driving the spread of Aids,
arguing that the schemes encourage users to continue their habit.

But critics, including Britain, believe that the fight against Aids in
eastern Europe, central Asia and other parts of the world could be
jeopardised if the US manages to water down the UN's policy.

~snip~

Britain opposed the US position yesterday, when Gareth Thomas, the
international development minister, told the meeting in his opening
statement that the UK wants to see "efforts to intensify harm
reduction strategies, including needle and syringe exchange
programmes".

~snip~

Europe accepts evidence from studies which have shown needle exchanges
to curb the spread of infection, but the US, which will not fund such
studies domestically, does not.

~snip~

Full article

[achtung_circus]

1. Hm-mm.

Europe accepts evidence from studies which have shown needle exchanges
to curb the spread of infection, but the US, which will not fund such
studies domestically, does not.

Another instance of don't ask, don't tell?

If you don't measure it, you can't manage it.

[patricia92243]

2. I blush in shame for the US. n/t

[SweetLeftFoot]

3. The US

tried to block a safe injecting room program being run by the Sisters of Mercy in Sydney. Really ...