Should communities permit the operation of needle-exchange programs for IV drug abusers?

Pro: Distributing clean needles to IV drug abusers will reduce the spread of dangerous diseases—diseases that can be spread to the portion of the population that does not abuse drugs.

Con: Distributing clean needles to IV drug abusers will encourage, promote, and increase the incidence of drug abuse. The distribution of clean needles conveys the sense that society approves of the use of recreational drugs.

Reply: Distributing clean needles is not condoning drug abuse.

Con: The fear of contracting a fatal disease is a powerful deterrent to sharing used needles and therefore is, to some degree, a powerful deterrent to drug abuse. If drug users have easy access to clean needles, they are likely to feel safer in the practice of their habit, and a powerful deterrent to drug abuse will have been removed.

Reply: Withholding clean needles will not prevent the use of illicit substances, nor will it prevent the spread of certain diseases.