Against Satcher, needle exchange
To the editor:
I agree heartily with the comments of Dr. Sigurd Daehnke printed in the May FP Report. I think it is wonderful than an FP (Surgeon General David Satcher, M.D.) holds the position but am saddened by the fact that we could not find a better representative.
I must also disagree with AAFP's current stance on needle exchange for IV drug abusers. Despite the claims of success in limiting the spread of HIV, I feel strongly that this is a poor way to do it. There is absolutely NO way the U.S. government can exchange needles for IV drug abusers without sending a message condoning this illegal and dangerous behavior.
GEORGE BARRON, M.D.
Rock Hill, S.C.
FP Report is published by the AAFP News Department. Copyright © 1998 by American Academy of Family Physicians.