Bishop Hubbard approves free distribution of needles to drug abusers [CWN]
- Status
B
bigred84
Guest
This story is shocking:
timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=894728
timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=894728
B
Beau_Ouiville
Guest
Anything that can help to stop HIV transmission should be done. This is not a religious or a Catholic issue but a public health issue.
C
curlycool89
Guest
It’s seems like it’s a similar idea to what’s done in Vancouver, BC. I think it’s an independent charity that runs it there, but it’s funded by the government (I think it’s federally funded).
But there they also provide “safe injection sites” in Vancouver if I remember correctly (like small rooms to do their shooting up). It seems like this will just be a clean needle program.
But there they also provide “safe injection sites” in Vancouver if I remember correctly (like small rooms to do their shooting up). It seems like this will just be a clean needle program.
B
bigred84
Guest
Anything? Would you have them promote condoms as well? This is a “catholic issue” if it involves an organization affililiated with the Catholic Church. And this is a moral issue. If someone is enabling illegal drug use, that is wrong. The ends do not justify the means. To really help drug users, such groups should stick to things like promoting rehab.
B
bigred84
Guest
Anything? Should they pass out condoms as well? Am I the only person here apalled by this? This is a “catholic issue” if it involves an organization affiliated with the Catholic Church. This is a moral issue as well. If someone is enabing or facilitating illegal drug use, that is wrong. To really help drug users, it would be better to stick to things like promoting rehab.
N
Neil_Anthony
Guest
Do you think this program encourages drug use?
I wonder if this is material cooperation with evil, or formal cooperation?
I wonder if this is material cooperation with evil, or formal cooperation?
M
MarcoPolo
Guest
It certainly seems to foster drug use, doesn’t it?
B
Beau_Ouiville
Guest
I don’t think they are enabling it if it is a needle exchange program. You get a clean one for a dirty one. And, do you know what the recidivism rate is for drug users and alcoholics? It would be better if they could control their addictions, but it is not realistic to put all your efforts into promoting rehab. That’s head in the sand.
Remember, HIV will not just be present in the drug-using community. It is a health danger for our entire society.
W
white_sheep
Guest
You are correct in all points.
W
white_sheep
Guest
Do you happen to know what the recidivism rate is for extramarital intercourse in Africa?
Hint: It’s irrelevant.
B
Brendan
Guest
That is kind of like issuing boxing gloves as a means to control spousal abuse. Sure it would be better to just have some men not hit their wives in the first place, but I guess that is just not realistic, so just issue everyone boxing gloves.
B
Beau_Ouiville
Guest
But that don’t mean I’m wrong, does it?
Our war on drugs has failed. People are going to inject illegal drugs. Making sure they have clean needles available not only holds down the infection rate in the illegal user community but society at large also. That’s how it differs from the boxing glove comparison.
S
SamDash
Guest
Sigh. Good ol’ “Catholic” Charities. Is anybody really surprised?
Today, needles; tomorrow, condoms.
(You know, “clean” needles only stay clean until they’re used once. And if your average heroin user had any inclination to act responsibly, he wouldn’t be a heroin user.)
Morality aside, these “clean needle” programs are worthless.
Why not just provide the heroin as well?
Today, needles; tomorrow, condoms.
(You know, “clean” needles only stay clean until they’re used once. And if your average heroin user had any inclination to act responsibly, he wouldn’t be a heroin user.)
Morality aside, these “clean needle” programs are worthless.
Why not just provide the heroin as well?
D
didymus
Guest
It absolutely is enabling.
All these same arguments could be made for giving out condoms to teenagers. Should we just say to Hell with morals and Church teaching?
After initially hearing this story I thought of Jesus and the woman taken in adultery. He told her, “Go and sin no more.” – not very “realistic” was He, given the recidivism rate for adultery. He definitely did not give her advice on how to not get caught next time so she & her partner could avoid the danger of stoning.
B
Beau_Ouiville
Guest
Well, you and I disagree. First of all, Catholic Charities is not Catholic missionary work. The service is helping people; not converting people to Catholicism.
Secondly, it is not immoral to help the victims of the disease of drug addiction. Other folks still seem to think that drug addiction is some type of moral shortfall, not a disease. The program is not helping people to use drugs, it is helping those who are going to use drugs to do it with less danger.
Needle exchange helps to keep recovering addicts disease free. These folks can go on to marry, give blood, be treated in hospitals or maybe even force sex on someone. It is to the benefit of our entire society that deadly disease among drug abusers is lessened since their status as disease carriers threatens everyone.
C
CradleCath
Guest
Everything is a “Catholic issue” to Catholics. This is disgusting & follows the mind set re passing out condoms to prevent a disease caused by promiscuity. That’s like putting a bandaid on a gunshot wound.
These people need to spend the time & money they’re using on free or low cost rehab centers. Passing out needles to drug abusers makes one wonder what in the world has happened to common sense.
C
CradleCath
Guest
Do you happen to know what the recidivism rate is for extramarital intercourse in Africa?
B
Beau_Ouiville
Guest
Not true! Do you think in the emergency room of a Catholic hospital they ask you if you performed your Easter duty?
M
momor
Guest
A quote from the Timesunion.com article (see post #2)
*In 1988, despite opposition from a local community misinformed and fearful of AIDS, then a relatively little-known disease, Joyce opened the Farano Center in a house in Pine Hills. The facility, staffed by Catholic Charities’ staff and volunteers, opened to care for orphaned HIV-infected babies, often abandoned at New York City hospitals by drug-addicted mothers. *
It looks like this nun has slid down a social slippery slope since she first started taking care of HIV orphans in 1988. When a person gets heavily involved in the HIV activist community it can easily happen - everyone with HIV becomes an innocent victim.
*In 1988, despite opposition from a local community misinformed and fearful of AIDS, then a relatively little-known disease, Joyce opened the Farano Center in a house in Pine Hills. The facility, staffed by Catholic Charities’ staff and volunteers, opened to care for orphaned HIV-infected babies, often abandoned at New York City hospitals by drug-addicted mothers. *
It looks like this nun has slid down a social slippery slope since she first started taking care of HIV orphans in 1988. When a person gets heavily involved in the HIV activist community it can easily happen - everyone with HIV becomes an innocent victim.
- Status