Point, Counterpoint- Needle Exchange

Texas is in the process of implementing the state’s first needle exchange program in Bexar County. Texas is the last state to adopt such a program.

TDCAA had a recent discussion on the issue. The issue was, could those with needles be charged with possession or delivery of drug paraphenalia?

Those bleeding heart liberals, the Islamic Republic of Iran, started a needle program two years ago to fight AIDS. Let’s compare the sentiments of Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley with his counterparts in Iran.

Iran Says– “This was a very crucial step,” said Ali Hashemi, director of Iran’s Drug Control Headquarters, a cabinet-level office. “Inevitably we have to do this in order to reduce the risk of AIDS.”

John Bradley says– “Can we prosecute for possession of the trace amount of illegal drugs in the needles? Or, is the defendant also getting immunity for that felony, too?”
Iran Says– Arch-conservative Ayatollah Mohammed Esmail Shoshtari recently ordered prosecutors to defer to the nation’s Health Ministry in the fight against AIDS. “It’s ironic that Iran, very fundamentalist, very religious — very religious — has been able to convince itself” to embrace such policies, said Bijan Nasirimanesh, who operates a drug clinic near Tehran.

John Bradley says– (on why those with needles should not be immune from prosecution) “That would mean that any program, even those that are clearly illegal, are justified because an individual draws the conclusion that he/she is doing some greater social good. Seems to me that some anti-abortionists have attempted to use that defense when trespassing on clinics or even when shooting doctors. What is the distinction?”

Labels: Prosecution, Texas, War On Drugs

<img src="http://www.blogger.c says:

September 3, 2007 at 5:49 am

Texans can walk into just about any pharmacy in the State and legally buy needles/syringes by the box full, generally with no questions asked. Ranchers and farmers can be expected to have syringes in their pickup trucks, to be used, or to have been used, for vet purposes.What makes possession of a syringe/needle a criminal offense? Must there be residue of a controlled substance? If so, how would an arresting officer know what residue, if any at all, is in a syringe/needle at the time of purchase?

September 3, 2007 at 5:55 am

That last sentence should have ended with “at the time of arrest?”

<img src="http://www.blogge says:

September 3, 2007 at 9:49 am

Possession of Drug ParaphernaliaA person commits Possession of Drug Paraphernalia if the person knowingly or intentionally uses or possesses with intent to use drug paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, or conceal a controlled substance in violation of the Texas Health and Safety Code or to inhale, ingest, inject, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled substance in violation of the Texas Health and Safety Code.Possession of Drug Paraphernalia under the above is a class C misdemeanor.

October 11, 2007 at 2:50 pm

So people who advocate a needle exchange program in an attempt to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDs are the same sort of scum that shoot doctors who perform abortions?Who votes for these morons?