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Denver
City
Council
Approves
Needle
Exchange...
but
state
must
act
first
to
change
law
12/12/97
In an 8-3 vote this week, the city council of Denver, Colorado endorsed,
in theory, the implementation of needle exchange programs to thwart the
spread of AIDS in their city. The caveat is the key here, as the measure
requires that the state of Colorado change their paraphernalia laws to
allow such programs before Denver moves ahead. Boulder Colorado has had
needle exchange since 1989, in defiance of state law, with the tacit approval
of city officials.
Paul Simons, Executive Director of PEERS, spoke with The Week Online
concerning the situation: "Colorado is essentially a state with multiple
personality disorder. There are a couple of cities, but the rest of the
state is essentially frontier. The vote in Denver was important because
rural legislators outnumber urban legislators here, and this sends a message
to them that this is an important issue for the cities."
We next asked Mr. Simons about the prospects for a positive response
by the state. "We think that the chances are good. Last year, we lost
on the floor of the House by one vote. This year, for the first time, we
have the strong support of the state health department. We are also fortunate
in that the bill is being sponsored by one of the most powerful Republicans
in the State Senate, Dottie Wham of Denver. Senator Wham is very strong
on health issues, and she may be the only legislator who is really capable
of shepherding this through. It's vital that we are successful this year,
though, because it looks like the next Governor will be a Republican, and
political pressure might make it difficult for that person to sign any
bill that comes through."
NOTE: It is estimated that there are between ten and fifteen thousand
IV drug users in Denver, of which approximately 6% are HIV positive. Therefore,
literally thousands of lives may be saved if the state will simply stand
aside and allow these programs to be established.
Anyone who would like to lend support to the effort in Colorado can
contact Greg Daurer of PEERS at (303) 455-2472.
-- END --
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Issue #22, 12/12/97
Point and Click for Drug Policy Reform: Innovative web site lets you raise money for DRCNet | The Week Online Welcomes Tim Devlin: Veteran Canadian journalist and broadcaster adds his voice to the international beat | Canadian Court Declares Medical Marijuana Prohibition Unconstitutional | President's Advisory Council on AIDS Issues Tough Report: Sets Deadline for Lifting Ban on Needle Exchange Funding | American Medical Association: "Let Doctors, Patients Discuss Medical Marijuana" | Denver City Council Approves Needle Exchange... but state must act first to change law | George Soros Signs on to Indepent on Sunday's Cannabis Campaign... On the eve of an historic conference on the issue | Key West Medical Marijuana Club Founder Freed | Poll: Americans consider drug abuse "greatest threat facing kids | 022/france French Minister of Health Calls Medical Marijuana Legalization Obvious""" | Australian Mayors: Enforcement "Will Not Work:" A call to the national government to change strategy | Columbian President Press Secretary and a Reporter Kidnapped by Cartels: American Prohibition continues to undermine order | Link of the Week: Cast your vote and state your case in National Review's on-line medical marijuana survey | Editorial: The drums of reform are getting louder
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