I did not want to muddy up the other thread that this was raised in. In another thread, it was implied that buying someone needles for their drug addiction is enabling despite the reason being health hazards.

Now I disagree with this. In Canada, there are many needle exchange programs for the exact same purpose. This practice is being reviewed to see if it has helped at all, at this time. I would say it's about a half and half opinion on whether or not this works or is enabling. I sit on the side that this is helpful not enabling. It's better to have clean needles to try to prevent to spread of diseases that kill along with the chance to give information out to drug users. I know many will disagree.

Anyways my point is this is not a black and white situation where it's definite enabling. In Canada's culture it can swing either way. I'm sure there are other countries that have these opposing views too. Cultural differences need to be considered. Personal preferences need to be removed.

bec

My opinion. Clean needle exchange is positive. Big picture, it reduces disease for all concerned or involved. Many who use needles have children. Protects their kids, and others they come in contact with. Many have no choice with sharing needles or not. Could get beat up and worse, for refusing to share. Good for the healthcare system as fewer people will need treatment for Hep C and other diseases. And. Simply because one uses drugs, does not mean they are less deserving of help. Many reasons people begin using. Overall a good program in my humble opinion.

Jim.

Read this a bit too quickly this morning whilst rushing to a meeting. ;-) Seems though this is regarding a specific situation, not simply needle exchange programs in general? Where is the thread this was originally discussed in?

Jim.

Exactly Jim.... hence why I deleted my response from this thread, as it just wasn't worth it. A statement has been taken from a conversation, which the statement from myself is based upon the specific conversation and events in one persons life, not about the clean needle programs of the world. I concur with those programs as they are having a positive influence upon the world in lowering AIDS and other blood transmitted diseases between users.

Ah. Thank you for the link Nicolette.And to Anthony for the clarification. Just finished reading. Well done of cypher for sharing all of that. Yep. Definitely taken out of context there.

Jim.

Considering I have specifically mentioned the needle exchange, I would say I am not taking anything out of context. Read the news, this is a big, controversial topic right now. I wanted to share my thoughts on it and get some other views. Thanks so much for the shut down on an honest topic. Really appreciated.

bec

Hi Bec... If you wanted to raise this as a unique and topical conversation, why did you take a partial statement from another thread with the intention of presenting it in a completely false and misleading way? Read your opening statement... You took a statement made to a particular person, in a specific situation, then generalized it here in a new thread with the intent to completely misinterpret what I said which shows intent to cause conflict. Why?

Why not just start it with what you said above? That was far better than your opening post which included a mix of what I said with your own opinion, trying to show it as totally mine, which its not my opinion of the matter. So why do it in the first place? Obviously it wasn't just me who read it this way....

Hi,

Yes Vancouver has a great system with the Street Nurses also. They walk the streets checking on the homeless and educating them on clean needles. Directing them where to get clean needles. They are going to want needles anyway so might as well be clean ones.

I support it.


Lola

Why Anthony? Because I am a human being. I make mistakes. I do not always get my idea across in one simple sentence, hence a WHOLE paragraph to try to explain my meaning. Instead of reading it as a whole, or asking questions to make sure you understood what I meant, you and others just jump on me. I don't freaking appreciate it. If this was about cypher do you not think I would have directly quoted, linked or just posted in that thread? NO. Because I didn't want to muddy it, or connect it as I was thinking about the needle exchange. After almost two years on here, you don't know my style to directly go at a subject? You haven't noticed my common quotes and links when referring to a specific person or comment?

The cphyer issue raised the needle exchange up in my mind because it's been sitting on my mind from the news. Get the connection there. What do upi want, my sworn statement in blood. Not everyone is "making statements" to misinterpret or manipulate or argue points with you. And frankly, I'm out right insulted over this.

bec