U.S. NEEDS HUMILITY - much to learn from Islamic Republic of Iran!

In the Islamic Republic of Iran the Deputy Minister for Health recently (March 7, 05, Ref 7b-151095) distributed to academic, scientific and clinical leaders throughout the country an "Executive Order" of the Judiciary Branch Ref. 1-83-14434, Jan. 24, 05). In essence, the Head of the Judiciary reminds everyone that harm reduction measures such as needle/syringe exchange and methadone maintenance have been determined to be a "means of combating HIV and Hepatitis infections among drug addicts."

It concludes, "Therefore no judicial authorities should impede the implementation of such needed and fruitful programs." It defies comprehension that evidence-based policies and practices, whose necessity is absolutely clear to the Iranian Government and most nations of the world, continue to be denied and vilified by the US Government, which eschews even the semantics of "harm reduction" and thus condemns to death countless people at home and abroad. A little humility would seem the key prerequisite if America is to join the great majority of nations that have accepted the fact that the world really is not flat, that harm reduction is effective, and that "just say no" is not going to succeed as the cornerstone of anti-drug efforts.