This is an original, well researched and presented article - best of Merc News! I think all the proposals in the article are worth discussion.

The article generated my response to Portland City Council.

" Commissioners,

Contaminated needles is a severe health threat to Portlanders in our parks and neighborhoods.

But bulk needle distribution by activists PPOP without exchange cited in (http://www.portlandmercury.com/news/2016…) should be stopped immediately.

Better yet, reach out to PPOP to immediately redirect their passions to safer, measured-result efforts. "

I know email is a PITA, but just sayin' commissioners are
mayorhales@portlandoregon.gov; Nick@portlandoregon.gov; amanda@portlandoregon.gov; novick@portlandoregon.gov; dan@portlandoregon.gov

#1, 1-for-1-based needle exchange efforts, while well-intended, lead to a number of consequences, including hoarding and reuse of syringes. Need-based exchanges like PPOP are utilizing harm reduction best practices, and overall, the number of syringes collected evens out with the number distributed.

Things are about to get worse too. OHA has decided to adopt the CDC guidelines for prescription opioid treatment. OHA's new rules are going into effect this year will end long-term opioid treatment for members of OHP. They will be telling doctors serving OHP members to wean their long-term high dose patients off of all opioids by 2018. This was done in Seattle. It decreased opioid related deaths, but heroin deaths increased dramatically. Can't remember if it was 40% or 60%. Write a story about that.

and you wonder why we have a derelict problem. handing out free drug paraphernalia to addicts only fosters their habit. its not helping them. please jump in the river and stay their after your next foray through the inner east side.

You can totally tell just how ignorant some people are in a couple of these comments. That's being charitable, actually; because it wouldn't surprise me if one of these guys had a friend or relative hooked on dope.

Anyway, good! I've been around IV users for a long time, and every single one of them — even the seasoned vets — has gotten severely infected at least once from using old needles. I hate needles, and I'm speaking as a guy who has worked at the Kent Hotel and gleaned bottle deposits out of bus mall bins — I've come close to getting jabbed a few times! But, hating the junkie and the people that help him doesn't get rid of the dope.

Ultimately, it's about who is an Asshole and who Isn't: the guy who Isn't gives a shit about other people, even people he personally dislikes, to the point of putting up with them and dealing with reality. Even helping them. The Asshole doesn't, won't deal with reality; and is big-mouthed and strong-armed about both.

Why not just put locking sharps receptacles throughout the city, where drug use is known to occur? People are still going to want to use in comfort, ie their homes or places they already congregate. Seems like an inexpensive solution. Now if only you can get people to use them...

In the butt?