Methadone Clinics: Methadone & Heroin Facts

Question: Are needle exchange programs and heroin/methadone clinics morally wrong?

(Posted by: deadbeat119 on 2009-05-16 14:46:24)

I was just reading an article about the lack of federal funding for needle exchange programs in U.S., and one part caught my attention - that many people oppose needle exchange programs on the basis that it is morally wrong. I personally think that is ridiculous to not give out needles to addicts. The only considerations that apply here are the practical ones. People who are already shooting up will shoot up with whatever they get their hands on. If we can give them clean needles, then they will be less likely to transmit diseases through needles. Which means that less diseases will be transfered, period. And even if you don't care about junkies, you have to realize that not all junkies look like junkies and that said junkies can transmit diseases through other means, as well. Similarly, I don't see what's wrong with heroin or methadone clinics. They have been proven to be very successful in many countries, yet we are very opposed to them here in the U.S. We have some methadone clinics, but heroin clinics are like a taboo. However, they've worked very well in other countries, like Switzerland. So, in summary, can anyone here rail against needle exchange programs and heroin or methadone clinics, based on morals alone? If so, then how what are those morals formed? Sources: http:/ / www.time.com/ time/ nation/ article/ 0, 8599, 1898073, 00.html http:/ / www.drugpolicy.org/ library/ tlcnr.cfm

Posted by: namairb2 on 2009-05-16, 15:15:11

As being one that has seen these people and there illness from the front lines I agree that this is a program that is definitely needed and needed in every city and state. The people that worry me the most are the ones that are first getting involved with main lining. I have heard them reason about the fact that they only share when no clean "points " or syringes are available. When they do share they usually claim to "know " the person they share with well enough to know that they are not "sick ". I also have a hard time going into a renal clinic and seeing the suffering that end stage liver disease causes because of people catching HIV,AIDS, or Hepatitis. As far as the free clinics for methadone and heroin goes the first thing you will come up against is where the funding is going to come from. This is the main objection to trying to help anyone that should "know " better than to venture into drugs in the first place. Good luck with your opinion poll and God Bless

Posted by: gordoncairns20002000 on 2009-05-16, 14:49:03

I just got 500 points

Posted by: nickipettis on 2009-05-16, 14:50:52

I think the needle exchange programs and methadone clinics are morally RIGHT. they reduce the spread of disease, they help people get off bad addictions. I just can not see anything bad in that. it seems compassionate.

Posted by: Joe D on 2009-05-16, 14:53:36

Really good question. I'm a pharmacist, as as such, extremely opposed to illegal use of drugs because I know the damage it causes to people and those around them. At the same time, other countries have done well by treating drug addicts as patients with a disease instead of ignoring the problem. I am not enough of a sociologist to argue for this one way or the other. I suspect that it is time for our country to try a some different ways to minimize or eliminate illegal drug use that our current process, as it is not working well. I feel that any program that helps improve health should not be restricted by a morale stance that prefers to ignore the issue, or turn our back on the problem. Thanks for bringing this issue up, and I hope a few others weigh in on this.