There should be no controversy regarding these programs because there is no evidence that anyone will suddenly experiment with heroin because free needles are available. These programs are aimed at people with serious drug addictions. Various organizations, including GAO, CDC, and the World Health Organization, have universally recognized the effectiveness of needle exchange programs. For example, according to the Center for Disease Control, needle exchange programs reduce HIV rates by 80% among intravenous drug users. Additionally, the healthcare cost savings are astonishing and more than enough to cover the cost of these programs. According to the Harm Reduction Coalition, every $385,200 spent on needle exchange programs can prevent 30 HIV infections. The same amount of money represents the overall cost of medical care for each new person infected with HIV. Joe Biden railed against some common-sense harm reduction efforts during his time in the Senate. Its indirect target was the rather benign drug MDMA or ecstasy, which was legal until 1985. In fact, it was often prescribed in advance by therapists, particularly marriage counselors. Furthermore, the risk of ecstasy overdose is quite low, as long as appropriate harm reduction methods are adopted. Ecstasy is generally the drug of choice at electronic music festivals known as raves. As a result, some non-profit groups attend these festivals to test the purity of partygoers' pills. On the other hand, the most serious risk for ecstasy users is overheating. That's why raves used to have plenty of bottled water and "cold rooms," but now business owners offering these things run the risk of breaking the law. This type of harm reduction effort... middle of paper... ....tion, Dr. Ben Sessa, a psychiatrist and addiction specialist, suggested to the BBC that the reason behind the lack of research may be because l 'ibogaine cannot be patented; after all, it comes from a plant. Many Americans still oppose methadone treatments, even though there is a strong net positive impact. There is a cost savings over incarceration and a reduction in crime and STDs associated with intravenous drug use. Methadone is terribly unhealthy, but serves as a safer substitute to help the addict withdraw from opiates. Additionally, methadone has a longer-lasting effect that allows patients to take just one dose per day (about $15 per day) without feeling intoxicated if the dosage is prescribed sensibly. For these reasons, methadone users can generally maintain a more productive work life than heroin addicts who feel the need to use multiple times a day..