Hurdles for Needle Exchange

Regarding the Nov. 30 editorial "In the Works":

When the House of Representatives voted in June to allow the District to use its own money on syringe exchange services, the city breathed a collective sigh of relief. The Post pronounced the vote a victory, and D.C. Health Director Gregg A. Pane immediately pledged $1 million in District funds for syringe exchanges.

But the legislation that would lift the funding ban has languished in the Senate since July. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and other District leaders should remain vigilant this month, when the Senate will be in a rush to complete the bill that includes the repeal; only after the president signs the bill can the District focus on delivering on its promise to infuse critically needed money into needle exchange. The Senate should reject any last-minute attempts to restore the ban.

More than 12,000 District residents are living with HIV-AIDS. We cannot afford to assume Congress and the president will do the right thing.

GRANT SMITH

Legislative Assistant

Office of National Affairs, Drug Policy Alliance

Washington