Where Congress Will Let D.C. Do Needle Exchange
Earlier this month, the House banned the District from exchanging used needles and syringes with clean ones within 1,000 feet of "a public or private day care center, elementary school, vocational school, secondary school, college, junior college, or university, or any public swimming pool, park, playground, video arcade, or youth center, or an event sponsored by any such entity."
This map [PDF], prepared by the D.C. government, shows where needle exchange would be permitted (the light-colored areas) should the House bill become law:
(Click to enlarge)
Here's a thought: There's some nice patches up in Chevy Chase, Woodley Park, Spring Valley, and American University Park---neighborhoods rich in policymakers and Hill staffers---where PreventionWorks could park its mobile needle exchange van. Let's do that, and have the District bus some addicts over there for a few days, and see just how long this lasts.
Nationals Park, too, seems to be A-OK. Maybe the Nats could do a give-a-needle, get-a-needle night at the ballpark?
Best of all, part of the Capitol grounds---including portions of the Longworth and Cannon House Office Buildings---aren't covered by the amendment. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), who sponsored the amendment, has his office in Rayburn. But perhaps his congressional colleagues might have a problem with D.C. handing out needles outside their offices.
Just a thought.
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Linked From: July 30th, 20092010 census–what grantmakers and nonprofits need to know [News, 7.30.09] « Washington Grantmakers Daily
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Linked From: August 5th, 2009Note to Congress on D.C.’s Needle Exchange - City Desk - Washington City Paper
11:58 am[...] a map of where dirty needles and syringes could be exchanged for clean ones if the House bill, with [...]
2:57 pm
so, basically, almost nowhere. Looks like needle party time at McMillan Reservoir though!
3:08 pm
Yep, Andrew. More like the Dalecarlia reservoir. Good luck to a non-profit trying to establish one up there. This map still serves some accessible haunts for Heroin and other IV Drug users. East Capitol and Minnesota Avenue (Greenway Shopping Center), along with New York Avenue (parallel to train tracks) and Montana Avenue to name a few.
LL, did you just add some script to this blog. The first time I read it, I didn't see all your details.
3:44 pm
i hid my editorializing after the jump...
7:39 pm
Um, the yellow is the free-to-exchange zone, yes? But what's the purple?
9:42 pm
If you click on the link to the full map (with legend), you'll see it's WASA's Blue Plains Waste treatment facility (classified as "Local/Restricted")
11:33 am
Hey, Bill. No. the yellow areas are NO needle exchange zones, as are the purple and gray. The only areas that would allow exchanges are WHITE. That's my interpretation, looking at the PDF and legend. Download it and take a look.
3:25 pm
Really Interesting. Thanks for the Info. I love your site.