Date: Tue, 17 Mar 98 18:58:43 -0400 From: ngltf Subject: NGLTF Condemns Clinton on Needle Exchange Inaction ****************************************************** NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Tracey Conaty tconaty@ngltf.org 202/332-6483 x3303 pager 800/757-6476 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ****************************************************** TASK FORCE CONDEMNS CLINTON ON NEEDLE EXCHANGE INACTION; POLITICAL LIFE PROVING MORE IMPORTANT THAN HUMAN LIFE WASHINGTON, DC---March 17, 1998--- "Hard, objective science is proving no match against soft, political backbone," said National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) executive director Kerry Lobel regarding the Clinton administration's refusal to support needle exchange programs. NGLTF today lauded the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS for yesterday's strong rebuke of President Clinton and Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala for their "almost complete silence and continued inaction" on needle exchange policy. "The politics of fear and timidity prevail, and as a result so does HIV," said Lobel. "Lives are being lost because of this inaction," added Lobel. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately half of all new HIV infections each year are from contaminated needles, which translates into approximately 33 people every day contracting HIV from dirty needles. The preponderance of research on needle exchange indicates that such programs reduce the rate of HIV infection. The American Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health are among the many organizations supporting needle exchange programs. And, as stated by the president's Advisory Council, there is "no credible evidence that needle-exchange programs lead to increased drug abuse." The Task Force is urging citizens around the country to contact both the president and Secretary Shalala and urge them to forcefully support and advocate for federal funding of local and state needle exchange programs. Contact information: President William J. Clinton Executive Office of the President 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20500 202/456-1111 president@whitehouse.gov Secretary Donna Shalala Department of Health & Human Services 200 Independence Ave SW; WDC 20201 Washington, DC 20201 202/690-7000 assistant: jgaither@os.dhhs.gov -30- _____________________________________________________________________ Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .