Heroin users receive free needles and an "open-door" policy for used needle disposal; however, Diabetics are discouraged and turned away when needing to dispose of needles at public disposal areas? Plus, Diabetics have to pay for their needles, whereas heroin users can receive them free almost anywhere in the world. Hmmm...so let me get this straight, If I am an illegal drug user I receive better attention and free supplies, but since I am dependent upon a LEGAL and LIFE-SAVING drugs (Read: Insulin) I am not allowed the same equal treatment? How frustrating. I understand the importance of offering IV drug users these needle exchange programs, these programs mostly instituted in the 1980's have cut back on the transmission of HIV and other diseases within many communities, not just limited to the US and UK, but worldwide: but to turn away a diabetic who simply wants to dispose of a needle s/he used in a law-abiding manor seems simply bogus to me.
I had to respond when I read this article this morning:
http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13185492
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