The scientific evidence does not support the efficacy of NEPs. Four different studies of 25 cities with NEPs published in 2004 reported the following:

• 70% of all intravenous drug users continue to share needles,
• Unprotected sex, rather than     needles, is a major cause of the spread of blood borne diseases
• Hepatitis C reached epidemic levels in some cities studied,
• The number of new young addicts increased, and
• Drug dealing and crime increased.

Studies have shown that treatment for addiction reduces drug abuse and the sharing of injecting drug paraphernalia, not abandoning addicts to the devastation of their disease by supplying them with the tools they need to lock themselves in the prison of addiction. NEPs rarely, if ever, refer addicts to treatment and/or transition them into a treatment program. Simply put, needle exchange programs enable the addicted to continue down the destructive and deadly path of drug dependence.

Needle giveaway programs distribute millions of needles every year with little or no accountability for the needles once they have been distributed. The idea of dirty needles being haphazardly discarded in public places raises legitimate concern to affected communities. A 2001 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that in 1998 over 19,397,527 needles were handed out in the U.S., and at best 62% were exchanged, meaning that 7-8 million needles were unaccounted for.

Needle exchange programs send a confusing message to our youth. Telling them not to use drugs but handing out needles reduces the perception of harm and undermines prevention and treatment efforts. Children need a clear message; giving out needles to illegal drug users sends the wrong message to the youth of our nation.