If It's Legal, You Can Do It.

It’s a privilege to be able to bring you some audio from the Needle Exchange Celebration. There were some moving speeches made, and now you can hear them for yourself.

First up was BCI’s Lancaster Site Director James Harrison. James recalled seeing the impact of HIV/AIDS years ago as an outreach worker. He spoke of attending the funeral of an injecting drug user he didn’t even know - “I did not know his name, but I found myself crying for this individual.” James also noted that his own Hepatitis C might have been prevented if there had been a needle exchange program when he was using drugs.

Today, however, he is extremely excited that such a program exists, because lives will be saved. He acknowledged Senator Margaret Rose Henry for battling for ten years to get the bill passed. He also thanked BCI Executive Director Sally Allshouse, who would always respond to a new idea from her staff, “If it’s legal, you can do it.” Finally, he acknowledged all the support from the community since the program has gotten up and rolling.

Click below to hear James's full remarks.

James Harrison - Opening Remarks.mp3 (7:09)