Federal Funds Likely For Needle Exchange

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, April 16) -- The Clinton Administration is expected to lift the 10-year ban on federal funding for needle exchange programs, and sources tell CNN the announcement could come as early as Friday.

Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala has signed off on the change and has forwarded it to the White House for final approval, the sources say. But an aide to Shalala denied any final decision has been made.

Individuals close to the issue say Drug Policy Director Gen. Barry McCaffrey tried to block the change.

In a letter to Congress last month, McCaffrey wrote, "... we owe our children an unambiguous 'no use' message."

Several scientific studies have shown needle exchange programs reduce the rate of HIV transmission among intravenous drug users without increasing drug use.

There are about 80 needle exchange programs around the country, but none operate with federal money, according to the Whitman-Walker Clinic, which runs the needle exchange program in Washington.

Thursday April 16, 1998

• Jones Says She Will Appeal
• Full Text Of Robert Bennett Statement
• Starr Gives Up Pepperdine Deanship
• Federal Funds Likely For Needle Exchange
• Jones Appeal Difficult, But Not Impossible
• Appeals Court Orders Judge to Reconsider Gag Order in Jones' Case