Reaching Drug Users

As seen on nytimes.com

To the Editor:

Re ''Preventing AIDS Prevention'' (editorial, Dec. 28):

Besides their effectiveness in preventing the spread of AIDS, needle exchange programs help us to engage drug users who generally do not come up from the underground until they are arrested or hospitalized.

This engagement presents an opportunity to bring these individuals into drug treatment and health care systems at an earlier time, with a potential benefit to both the user and society.

Howard Josepher
New York, Dec. 28, 2007