Perspective: Sam’s Perspective – Needle Exchange

Before I get into this, a fact: 39-states already have a program. Question is, why doesn’t Oklahoma have one? What am I talking about? The same kind of program started by then Indiana Governor, Mike Pence in 2015. And it’s working. The issue on the table is the legalization of a needle exchange program. Now before you start shaking your head ‘no’ let me point out that the program in Indiana resulted in a drop of HIV cases, and a big one.
The good news is a bipartisan group of state lawmakers wants to do the same here. Why? Easy answer, to reduce the spread of hepatitis C and HIV in Oklahoma. According to national health data released just last year, Oklahoma is the worst state for the number of people living with hepatitis C. Both diseases are spread easily through the use of dirty needles.
A number of pieces of legislation have been introduced aimed directly at the problem. The legislation would allow drug users to exchange used hypodermic needles for clean ones, without fear of Johnny Law coming down on the user. Why is that important?
Right now, the Department of Corrections costs to care or treat inmates with Hepatitis C is roughly $29,000. If you multiply that, times the over 31-hundred inmates infected with hepatitis C it comes to about $91-million dollars which is double what the state spent on all inmate health care last year.
Legislation introduced by Carol Bush, R-Tulsa would allow state agencies, county health departments, private businesses, nonprofit-groups and churches to operate needle exchange programs as long as the programs aren’t paid for with state money.
Additionally, users that visit a needle exchange are over 3-times more likely to stop injecting drugs, because the programs also offer them a chance to get help for their addiction. And believe me, another fact of life is, not all addicts are in prison. In fact, there is a good chance someone you know, has a monkey on their back and you don’t know about it. All walks of life are involved. This is a problem that can be address but only with sane, rational planning.
Don’t think for one minute an addict wants to be addicted. To think otherwise about the majority would be a mistake. This is a chance to provide help, real help to folks who are desperate and need it most. Please, phone or Email your state lawmaker. Let’s pull together to help save lives, slow or even stop the spread of disease and save money. Like Rosie the Riveter said in World War II, ‘We can do this’.
I’m Sam Jones and that’s my Perspective.