NEEDLE EXCHANGE, HIV TRANSMISSION, AND ILLEGAL DRUG-USE - INFORMING LAW AND PUBLIC-POLICY WITH SCIENCE AND RATIONAL DISCOURSE

Efforts to control the spread of AIDS have been constrained by the con troversial nature of many prevention programs. This is especially true of needle exchange programs. In this Article, Professor Salbu explore s the issues behind needle exchange and the validity of arguments both for and against such programs. He also provides a comprehensive summa ry of research efforts to date and concludes that while research into the effectiveness of needle exchange programs is inconclusive, there i s growing evidence that such programs reduce the spread of AIDS. These findings are, however tentative, and the author proposes the conditio nal funding of future programs be contingent upon a primary research f unction and continued success.