Image via Wikipedia

Late last night, I read this article from the New York Post. At first, I was quite disturbed that it seems like this was a “how-to” on shooting heroin. After seeing the 16 page pamphlet, I’m still somewhat disturbed, but I can see their point. In issuing the pamphlet it seems the objective of the New York Dept of Health is to educate heroin users on how not to infect themselves with disease and in turn, that the education could lead to less cost by the government in treating abusers who would otherwise become infected.

The part that hits me wrong is that in doing so, you make it quite easy for those easily influenced to try it out at a perceived lack of consequence, which could then turn them into regular users. This is related directly to Tip #6, the same that seems to have alot of people in a complete uproar. Now when I say the “easily influenced”, I’m referring to kids/teens, mainly. Peer pressure can be unbearable for kids. Those that fight it well, could come across this little pamphlet and think that if they get their hands on some heroin, that following this tip will make it “OK” to give it a try and in turn, they may do it again, and again.

The cost of this education, monetarily, was quite low at $32,000 for 70,000 pamphlets. If this information only reaches the intended audience, then great, it certainly won’t make anything worse. But, if it reaches elsewhere, who knows. What ifs may be annoying to think about, but unfortunately, that seems to be how things go, do something without thinking of all repercussions and then try to clean up the mess afterward, if there is one. A website would have made so much more sense. Chances are, little Johnny isn’t going to be cruising the Dept of Health web site anytime soon, and if he is, well, I don’t think we have to worry about little Johnny. But little Jimmy and little Cindy, maybe we should.

That’s my opinion, most likely I’m guilty of over thinking or to some, not thinking enough. Have a look at the article or articles out there and then take a look at the pamphlet and see what you think, and let me know.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Guide to shooting smack published by City of New York (boingboing.net)
• NYC-funded handout called how-to for heroin users (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• NYC prosecutor blasts ‘how-to’ drug pamphlet (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• ‘How To’ Shoot Heroin? Government Booklet Offers Tips (abcnews.go.com)