If opioid addiction is ostensibly considered a disease, and the needle exchange program in Greenfield, (Recorder, 7-6-16) is now open to “offer a way to make an extremely risky activity a little bit safer and stem the spread of serious disease” (i.e. HIV and Hep. C) — don’t these statements seemingly contradict each other in their intent or consequence?
Consider carefully. Needle exchange to curb disease. Opioid addiction a disease. If used needles are OK to exchange for clean ones, doesn’t that in effect perpetuate the would-be disease of opioid et al. addiction? Vicious circle, isn’t it?
Now let’s take a gander at the detox center in Greenfield (Recorder, 7-9-16). “If the patient has insurance, that pays for it. If not, the state Department of Public Health does.” I ask you this. How many of you actually think that the patients that will be treated here have insurance? I’m led to believe that “patients” will be flocking here from all over for free treatment. Guess who’s paying for it.
Ed Gregory
Greenfield