Mike Pence, conservative Governor of Indiana in facing an epidemic of HIV infections due to needle sharing in Scott County said“, I do not support needle exchanges as anti-drug policy, but this is a public health emergency,”

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015/04/17/indiana-hiv-outbreak-cases-rises-cases/25926807/

The Indianapolis Star has been covering the story- Here is my letter to the editor:

I applaud the decision to initiate needle exchange programs to reduce the spread of the HIV virus. To quote Governor Pence “I’m going to make a decision on the best science and the best way to stop this virus and this outbreak in its tracks.” Harm reduction strategies force us to focus on the users of drugs and treat their life situation in the broadest context. Perhaps this difficult public health challenge can serve to open a discussion of other harm reduction strategies for tobacco, opiates, and other drugs.

Edward Anselm, MD