Marion Barry must be moving.
Via CBS:
Brows were raised and eyes rolled back when needle exchange programs were first implemented to stop the spread of disease. Giving away free and clean syringes to heroin users seemed preposterous to many. Now it is a common practice and almost universally accepted as a means to prevent the spread of HIV. Could the same happen with free crack pipes?
The city of San Francisco may examine the idea, said Tracey Packer, the director of community health equity for the San Francisco Dept. of Public Health, who oversees the city’s HIV prevention efforts.
“It is inaccurate to say we are ‘considering’ the program,” said Packer. “We are at the exploration point. We are looking at data and information.”
Crack pipe distribution programs have been successful in Canada, said Laura Thomas, a member of the HIV Health Services Planning Council (HPPC), the group that recently suggested San Francisco consider a similar program.