Music downloads and the ethics of piracy

A Needle Exchange Controversy essays

A Needle Exchange Controversy essays Needle Exchange Programs: The Best Solution? The United States of America has been contending with adverse social and economic effects of the drug abuse, namely of heroin, since the foundation of this country. Our initial attempt to outlaw heroin with the Harrison Narcotic Act of 1914 resulted in the U.S. having the worst heroin problem in the world (Tooley 540). Although the legislative actions regarding heroin hitherto produced ominous results that rarely affected any individuals other than the addict and his or her family, the late twentieth century brings rise to the ever-infringing AIDS epidemic in conjunction with heroin abuse. The distribution of clean needles to intravenous (IV) drug users is being encouraged in an attempt to prevent the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from sharing "contaminated needles" (Glantz 1077). It is the contention of this paper to advocate the establishment and support of needle exchange programs for intravenous drug users because such programs reduce the spread of HIV and d o not cause an increase of drug use. This can be justified simply by examining the towering evidence that undoubtedly supports needle exchange programs and the effectiveness of their main objective to prevent the spread of the HIV. Countries around the world have come to realize that prohibiting the availability of clean needles will not prevent IV drug use; it will only prevent safe IV drug use (Glantz 1078). Understanding that IV drug use is an inescapable aspect of almost every modern society, Europeans have been taking advantage of needle exchange programs in Amsterdam since the early 1980's (Fuller 9). Established in 1988, Spain's first needle exchange program has since been joined by 59 additional programs to advocate the use of clean injection equipment (Menoyo 410) in an attempt to slow the spread of HIV. Several needle exchange programs sponsored by religious organizations in Australia have "reporte...

Causes and Effects of Air Pollution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Causes and Effects of Air Pollution - Essay Example This paper illustrates that natural pollutants include volcanic eruptions, forest fires, wind erosion, natural radioactivity, and organic compounds evaporation, dispersal of pollen and wind erosion. Although these natural events have proved to cause a measure of air pollution, their frequency is very low. The main sources of air pollution are human activities. Industries are among the leading sources of air pollutants of numerous gases such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Other pollutants from industries are organic compounds, especially from petroleum refineries. The burning of fossil fuels in different locomotives is an additional cause of air pollutants with the increasing reliance on vehicles, trains, and motorcycles. These pollutants include gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulates. Household and farming chemicals form the third source of air pollutants. These pollutants emanate from activities such as fumigating ho mes, dusting crops, and pesticide spraying. Air pollution has multiple detrimental effects on the environment and humans. Gases such as sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen usually mix with rainwater forming the acid that destroys vegetation and pollutes water. Moreover, some pollutants find their way into the soil through rain and cause eutrophication. Other pollutants have led to the formation of ground-level ozone that has affected people’s health adversely. Air pollution also involves particulate matter such as lead and presents multiple effects. Such particulate matter may cause respiratory disorders and long-term effects such as cancer, heart disease, and kidney disorders.