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Slowing the spread of HIV through needle exchange   An article in U. S. News & World Report suggests that needle exchange programs, which aim to protect injection drug users from HIV by offering addicts sterile syringe in exchange for used ones, have been shown to work in numerous studies. The Clinton administration supports a ban on federal spending for the programs, but the National Academy of Sciences, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the General Accounting Office have all endorsed needle exchanges and are calling for increased government support of the programs. Studies show that the exchanges do not result in increased drug use, a concern cited by opponents. Besides reducing the spread of HIV and other blood borne diseases, the programs also help addicts seek therapy. University of California researcher Peter Lurie estimates that nearly 10,000 lives could have been saved in the past few years had needle exchanges gained wider support. (U. S. News & World Report, 12/30/96-01/06/97), Vol. 121, No. 26)