Monday, July 10, 2006 | I am sorry that the clean needle exchange program is not being handled by the Public Health officials. It belongs in the arena of health, not politics.
Why doesn’t Mr. McLaughlin ask why the Dept. of Public Health is not dealing with it?
Perhaps the answer is that they do not condone “crime free zones” on their property although the politicians and citizens of San Diego seem to approve. Since Mr. McLaughlin did not refer to the “crime free zone” aspects of the most prominent needle exchange program, perhaps he is not aware that any sort of conduct must be tolerated on the clean needle sites. The police will be only too glad to point out their lack of involvement in enforcing standards of conduct on these sites.
Mr. McLaughlin also does not seem to be aware that there are other needle exchange programs where the clients are not subject to public scrutiny and the neighborhoods are not subject to being forced to tolerate aberrant conduct.
I hope that some other members of the public will inform others of this baby-with-the- bathwater that will be undoubtedly overwhelming approved next Tuesday.