LOS ANGELES : City Council Clears Way for Needle Swap Program
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The City Council cleared the way Tuesday for a needle exchange program aimed at preventing the spread of AIDS among intravenous drug users.
In a 9-1 vote, the council passed a resolution endorsing Mayor Richard Riordan’s declaration of a local emergency that allows for “responsible needle exchange programs” in Los Angeles.
“Sometimes leadership requires things that are not popular . . . things that are not on our personal agendas,” Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg said in support of the controversial program.
Riordan last week declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles to get around California laws barring the distribution of most types of drug paraphernalia, including syringes. The needle exchanges seek to reduce the transmission of HIV through contaminated needles, which are often shared by drug users.
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