Drug laws do not make exceptions for people who think they know better. In the absence of explicit authorization of needle exchange programs, which Texas seems not to have, the guy is clearly commiting a crime.

In Massachusetts a city can choose to allow needle exchange programs. Participants have limited statewide immunity.

ZAZ: In Massachusetts a city can choose to allow needle exchange programs. Participants have limited statewide immunity.

So, you hate society?

Didn't you read what the Drug Warrior said?

We can win this, we just have to make the failed policies work again somehow.

Man I hate the War on Drugs. Biggest load of crap ever.

Much better to let the drug addicts contract Hepatitis and AIDS, then when they come under the states care, spend tens of thousands of dollars in medicine for them.

/Prohibition 2.0, logic free since 1970.

Susan Reed = Mary Buchanan II?

They can both DIAF.

ZAZ: In the absence of explicit authorization of needle exchange programs, which Texas seems not to have, the guy is clearly commiting a crime.

FTFA:
Around the same time, the state Legislature authorized Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, to set up a separate pilot program.

I guess you have to justify your budget somehow. Wooohooo, look at me, busting a needle exchange.

ZAZ: Drug laws do not make exceptions for people who think they know better. In the absence of explicit authorization of needle exchange programs, which Texas seems not to have, the guy is clearly commiting a crime.

You sound like one of those zero-tolerance retards. Thanks for f*cking up a pretty cool country.

mr_bunny: Man I hate the War on Drugs. Biggest load of crap ever.

What's with you yanks and always having to have a "war" on something anyways? How many "wars" against ideas or societal ills does America have to lose before her politicians realize that declaring "war" against a problem is not a solution to it.

Needle exchange programs are just trying to help people.
It is one of the finest examples of altruism.
Why would you bust these people?
Is the DA all out of real crimes to investigate?
The law is supposed to protect people.
How does enforcing it in this manner protect anyone?

Ninja Wicked: mr_bunny: Man I hate the War on Drugs. Biggest load of crap ever.

What's with you yanks and always having to have a "war" on something anyways? How many "wars" against ideas or societal ills does America have to lose before her politicians realize that declaring "war" against a problem is not a solution to it.

Holy fark man you just crossed the line. I hereby declare war on your ass!

/What the hell is wrong with Texas anyway?

So the law established the exchange, but nobody made any exceptions to the needle law so they consider ALL needle possession crime?
But Reed said in August anyone with a needle, even in the program, was breaking the law.
Do they prosecute diabetics too?

This is silly.

The DA wants VOTES. He doesn't care about preventing disease. He cares about gettin' known to the people who can re-elect him.

Could bite him in the ass but then again, people are generally stupid so it probably won't.

Look at birth control. Offer it free in a nationwide program equals less abortions, less premature babies, less cost to government for pediatric medical care, daycare programs, food programs, head start programs, school costs. Still ain't gonna happen because most people don't want it to happen and people who try to make it happen, get tossed out on their ear.

/sorry. Off topic at the end.
//Yes, I do feel better now.

And, this being Texas, he'll face death by lethal injection.

I have to agree that "wars" on social issues are completely foolhardy ventures. But, it appears that a large number of American social policy makers are plainly stupid, and many Americans support the continuing idiocy. The dichotomy of America- really ingenious but overtly backward.
The sad part for me is that my own government is following the US lead and creating criminals here as well.
And when I say "plainly stupid", I mean it. Head in the sand-type stupid. Maybe a "war" on idiocy is needed, but that would leave America without any leadership at all.

AOMU: that would leave America without any leadership at all.

Then you could call us Canada!

OK, I didn't read far enough. If the article is not misleading there should be an implied immunity like in Massachusetts.

"I just had to make a decision as the chief law enforcement officer in the county whether this would be a program, whether they (the pilot program) were excluded out of the penal code," Reed said. "If they had gone forward, would they be in violation? It's just a question of law."

Bullshiat.

Police selectively enforce the law all the time. I doubt having a few dirty needles is a felony. They don't stop every single person that the see commit a traffic infringement. They don't issue tickets or haul off people every time there is a dispute over something. They may even cite you for a lessor infraction that what they orginally thought they could.

So bullshiat on this guy. He should have the balls to say he doesn't like it, so that is why they are choosing to enforce this law.

ErinPac:
Do they prosecute diabetics too?

This is silly.

While I doubt it, why would it be silly? Get caught carrying around a large amount of cash and see what the police then think about it.

Ninja Wicked: mr_bunny: Man I hate the War on Drugs. Biggest load of crap ever.

What's with you yanks and always having to have a "war" on something anyways? How many "wars" against ideas or societal ills does America have to lose before her politicians realize that declaring "war" against a problem is not a solution to it.

Well, we don't like to talk about it much, but most of us have really tiny peeners. It makes us anxious and violent.

/well, my countrymen anyhow
//big peener, relaxed and peaceful

Gee, you commit a crime and you get ticketed for it?
Oh the injustice!

Greenville: And, this being Texas, he'll face death by lethal injection.

So would anyone who actually carries the needle to/from the injection room.

Then following my patented "RDA's slippery slope logic 2.0", either it will spread and kill everyone in Texas, or no one would want to be the state's hired killer, and the death penelty would be abolished.

/not saying either option is a bad thing.
//and I have nothing against parts of Texas... I hear Austin is pretty nice.

What will it take?
What do we have to do?

Texas supposedly has the right to succeed from the union and I want to make that happen.

How much will it cost to get this problem child out of our country.

As an alternative, how about we give half of Texas to the deranged "Texans" and the really cool Texans can keep the other half and stay in our country?

I don't think declaring "war" on a social issue is stupid at all. The way that war is waged is an entirely different story. Declaring war on drugs without effective intervention and treatment programs with healthy funding in place is stupid. Declaring war on poverty by shredding the social safety net sending more people into homelessness while being proud of your dramatically reduced welfare payouts is stupid. Declaring war on homelessness by raiding homeless camps but having nowhere for them to go besides jail is stupid. Declaring war on gangs by passing laws forbidding two or more unrelated people of the same race (besides white - if they speak unaccented English - No Russians allowed) to run around town together on penalty of jail time is stupid. (Several lawsuits pending on that last one.)

Instead of diversion, education, counseling, treatment and community support programs we'd apparently rather spend our money on more jails and prisons.

Declaring war on stuff, however, is inherently cool.

/declares war on decaf coffee
//and fat-free baked goods
///and excessive slashies
////might need more funding - the slashies are winning////

"Murray said needle-exchange programs don't address the core of the HIV/AIDS problem, which is the high-risk behavior associated with drug use,"
such as using dirty needles?

"When it comes to the distribution of needles, we know that it carries an enablement of continued drug use,"
because the only method of injesting drugs is via needles?

i suppose that pharmacies are regularly busted for selling morphine and derivatives in texas?
(i really don't suppose that, i'm kinda wondering if it has more to do with who's dispencing, not what is dispenced.)

I hope this DA gets a permanent migraine. That would be justice.

Dipshiat DA pandering to a paranoid public, priceless.

How about prosecuting some of those fraudulent mortgage loan guys, or maybe try going after some actual violent criminals once in a while?

Nope, have to jail all those dangerous bastards out there trying to make your city a safer place. Or those who are trying to escape from the reality of how god-damned retarded the human race really is.

Gotta get them libruls that are ruinin our city.

Given that it (the exchange program) was explicitly authorized by the state, I'm not sure how any reasonable judge would even get past the indictment part of this...

Crosshair: Much better to let the drug addicts contract Hepatitis and AIDS, then when they come under the states care, spend tens of thousands of dollars in medicine for them.

/Prohibition 2.0, logic free since 1970.

This, FTW.

Random Reality Check: What will it take?
What do we have to do?

Texas supposedly has the right to succeed from the union and I want to make that happen.

How much will it cost to get this problem child out of our country.

As an alternative, how about we give half of Texas to the deranged "Texans" and the really cool Texans can keep the other half and stay in our country?

Just so you know, little fellah; It's a myth that Texas has the right to SECEDE. No state has the right to secede, according to a Supreme Court decision. But Texas does have the right to split into 5 different states, as agreed upon when they were originally admitted into the U.S. Also agreed upon at that time was a stipulation that the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. could not exceed the height of the Texas State Capitol Building.

Although Texas cannot secede from the Union, it is possible for Texas to disconnect from the national power grid and run independently on her own power resources, the only state able to do so.

What is that Half of Texas thing you speak of? Other than that island of liberalism known as Austin, the rest of us are all normal.

Ya'll have a good day!

thatmanfromtexas: Other than that island of liberalism known as Austin, the rest of us are all normal idiots.

Austin is about the ONLY reason to visit or live in Texas.

helsdottir: ...Declaring war on stuff, however, is inherently cool....

/declares war on decaf coffee
//and fat-free baked goods
///and excessive slashies
////might need more funding - the slashies are winning////

What if they declare war on that Kool-Aid that you obviously are drinking, there?

The War on drugs is for the control-freaks who wear goddam suits and the empty headed voters who keep 'em in power.

Crosshair: Much better to let the drug addicts contract Hepatitis and AIDS, then when they come under the states care, spend tens of thousands of dollars in medicine for them. then laugh at the suffering they've caused themselves.

FTFY.

Newportbarguy You sound like one of those zero-tolerance retards. Thanks for f*cking up a pretty cool country.

Simple, to the point and my feelings exactly! These people are ubiquitous and somehow they've learned to vote and become DA's. Damn. There should be a nuance test given to vote or hold office.

serial_crusher: Crosshair: Much better to let the drug addicts contract Hepatitis and AIDS, then when they come under the states care, spend tens of thousands of dollars in medicine for them. then laugh at the suffering they've caused themselves.

FTFY.

Haha, AIDS is so funny!

Crosshair: Much better to let the drug addicts contract Hepatitis and AIDS, then when they come under the states care, spend tens of thousands of dollars in medicine for them.


I'd think it be much better to actually do something about the packs of drug-addicted drifters hanging out in back alleys waiting for old men to hand out today's needles.

They get free health care anyway- not a damn one of them don't already have their hands in the taxpayer's pockets. If you're already going to spend money on these people, why not at least pretend to be trying to help them?

Now, now, look at it from the cops' perspective. If you need to rack up more arrests to brag about your immense value to society, who would you rather go after: a frail 73-year-old man who thinks helping the less fortunate is what God wants him to do, or a strong young man who's actually a DANGER to others?

Reminds me of the time I called 911 three times in one hour to report some guys beating the snot out of somebody in the street below my apartment window. Nobody ever came. Only later did I realize I should've told the 911 guys "There's a skinny harmless kid smoking a joint, and there's no way any cops can be injured by showing up to arrest him!" THAT would've brought half the police force out to my street.

Austin's a great place to live. Exhibit A

subby: Needle exchange worker injected with some Texas justice, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia by legal sticklers at the San Antonio DA's office. Pricks

This headline, and no puns yet? C'mon guys, it doesn't take an IV league degree to figure this stuff out.

Day_Old_Dutchie: helsdottir: ...Declaring war on stuff, however, is inherently cool....

/declares war on decaf coffee
//and fat-free baked goods
///and excessive slashies
////might need more funding - the slashies are winning////

What if they declare war on that Kool-Aid that you obviously are drinking, there?

The War on drugs is for the control-freaks who wear goddam suits and the empty headed voters who keep 'em in power.

In my part of California we don't drink the Kool-Aid. We dye our hair with it.

I don't mind if someone wants to call it a "war" (which seems to be your only issue - terminology). Just wage it the right way. Address the core issues. Don't criminalize them.
That's just as pointless as trying to build a wall to keep the Kool Aid Man out.

/declared war on decaf but didn't criminalize it
//taxed it
///triple shot espresso per cup of decaf brought into my house tax

Sigh

I love my state, I really do. I am still proud to call myself "Texan"

So, please, all of you assholes, get the fark out of my beloved state.

Also addicts are much more likely to ask for help from someone they know and trust.

FTFA:David Murray, chief scientist for the Office of National Drug Control Policy,Bush Administration shill: "the evidence is strong, that it (needle exchange) does not succeed in its effort to control the contagion" of disease.

"The principal finding of this review was that there is compelling evidence of effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness, consistent with seven previous reviews conducted by or on behalf of U.S. government agencies."
From a 2006 peer-reviewed article in the journal Substance use & misuse titled, "Do needle syringe programs reduce HIV infection among injecting drug users: a comprehensive review of the international evidence."

As always with the Bushies, direct contradiction of overwhelming scientific evidence.

"We're rock against drugs, cuz that's what George Bush wants!"

/Sigh...if only Bill were still here today

Ninja Wicked: mr_bunny: Man I hate the War on Drugs. Biggest load of crap ever.

What's with you yanks and always having to have a "war" on something anyways? How many "wars" against ideas or societal ills does America have to lose before her politicians realize that declaring "war" against a problem is not a solution to it.

I propose a war on ninjas.

FTA:

Murray said needle-exchange programs don't address the core of the HIV/AIDS problem, which is the high-risk behavior associated with drug use, such as venereal disease and multiple sexual partners.

OK, so let me get this straight. Needle exchanges only solve the problems of one kind of high-risk behavior (sharing needles), not two (sharing needles AND unprotected sex), so they should not exist.

Sounds like more of that Christian moral-think usurping common sense.

I love it!!! These free needle programs are idiotic.
Whaddya think they do with these needles in their disgusting little drug areas?
Golden gate park has a serious haz-mat problem because of tens of thousands of used needles left on the ground.

I would like to introduce you to my free dirty needle program,
that will stem the problem by killing 'em quicker.

Berkely is considering a hospital setting where people can watch you inject and offer medical aid if you nod out

you guys are brilliant

natas6.0: I love it!!! These free needle programs are idiotic.
Whaddya think they do with these needles in their disgusting little drug areas?
Golden gate park has a serious haz-mat problem because of tens of thousands of used needles left on the ground.

I would like to introduce you to my free dirty needle program,
that will stem the problem by killing 'em quicker.


Approves

Ninja Wicked:
What's with you yanks and always having to have a "war" on something anyways?

It's all edgy and fresh. Like calling things "extreme".

ErinPac: So the law established the exchange, but nobody made any exceptions to the needle law so they consider ALL needle possession crime?
But Reed said in August anyone with a needle, even in the program, was breaking the law.
Do they prosecute diabetics too?

This is silly.

One can only hope that they specifically exempted EMS, nurses and physicians. Oh, and aren't Texas cops into holding you down and sticking you for blood samples if you're in a wreck?

Are they specifically exempted? Because if they're not, they're criminals.

We also need to arrest the people who operate the local soup kitchens. By providing free food to the junkies, they enable their addictions.
These America-hating perverts should be locked up right next to the degenerate needle-exchange operators and dangerous negroes and mexicans who smoke the marihuana before going out to rape white women.