cannabisnews.com: DPF Supports Medical Marijuana & Syringe Exchange 





DPF Supports Medical Marijuana & Syringe Exchange 
Posted by FoM on September 30, 1999 at 17:47:23 PT
Drug Policy News Service 
Source: DPF
While Congressional Republicans are trying to frame medical marijuana and syringe exchange as undermining law enforcement, they are ignoring democratic principles and vital public health issues, the Drug Policy Foundation said today.
"Congress is wrong to dictate social policy to the residents of the District of Columbia, especially when the city's residents overwhelmingly support change," DPF policy analyst Rob Stewart said. "The federal government has acknowledged that marijuana can help relieve the pain associated with cancer treatment and multiple sclerosis and that it can help AIDS patients live longer by relieving AIDS-wasting syndrome," Stewart said. "Furthermore, the residents of the District voted better than two-to-one last November to provide access to medical marijuana. Congress should respect the District's residents' choice about their own health policies." DPF also believes that Congress is wrong to block city funding of a District syringe exchange. Every major public health organization, including the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association and the National Academy of Sciences, has endorsed syringe exchange. Since 1991, seven federally funded studies conducted by both Republican and Democratic administrations, have shown that syringe exchange programs reduce the spread of blood-borne disease without increasing or promoting illegal drug use in the community. "Congressional Republicans are merely grandstanding and trying to look tough," Stewart said. "They're going out of their way to ignore the research and the public health benefits of the policy so that they can score political points. Lives for votes -- what a lousy trade-off." Last October, the nonprofit Drug Policy Foundation provided start-up funding for a new D.C. syringe exchange after Congress banned any agency that carries out an exchange from receiving federal or District funds. DPF subsequently awarded the new exchange, PreventionWorks!(202/939-7825), additional support through its Grant Program.The Drug Policy Foundation is the nation's oldest and largest membership drug policy reform group. Established in 1986, DPF has over 24,000 supporters. THE DRUG POLICY FOUNDATION Creating reasoned and compassionate policies since 1986. 4455 Connecticut Ave. NW Suite B-500 Washington, DC 20008-2328 (202) 537-5005 fax: (202) 537-3007http://www.dpf.org/D.C. Budget Caught in Hill Standoff - 9/29/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3076.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Post Comment


Name: Optional Password: 
E-Mail: 
Subject: 
Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]
Link URL: 
Link Title: