REGULATING CONTROVERSIAL PROGRAMS FOR UNPOPULAR PEOPLE - METHADONE-MAINTENANCE AND SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

One third of all cases of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS ) in the United States are associated with the injection of illicit dr ugs. There is mounting evidence for the effectiveness of syringe excha nge programs in reducing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behav ior and HIV transmission among injection drug users. Expansion of syri nge exchange would require increased public funding and undoubtedly wo uld include government regulation of syringe exchanges. An analogy is drawn with the present system of regulation of methadone maintenance t reatment programs and possible regulation of syringe exchange programs . Specific recommendations are offered to reduce the likelihood of rep eating the regulatory problems of methadone maintenance treatment in f uture regulation of syringe exchange programs.