Public Policy - Research Paper Example

NAPWA’S importance discussed in this paper is in regards to the criminalization of those with HIV/AIDS who gives the virus to another individual whether or not that was the individual’s intent. NAPWA argues this point and yet shares the view that those who intentionally infect another individual with the virus should be criminally prosecuted but not those who unintentionally pass the virus on (Lesieur) Matt Lesieur, NAPWA’s vice president of public policy presents NAPWA’s 2011 Public Policy Agenda in regards to HIV Criminalization (Lesieur) Across the country laws are being presented that are designed to criminally prosecute the transmission of HIV infection (Lesieur) NAPWA’s Public Policy department has stood up to address these laws and legislations that are trying to be incorporated.

NAPWA argues that carrying out with these laws and legislations designed to criminally prosecute the transmission of HIV infection would cause serious hindrances in the HIV/AIDS community. . This is where NAPWA argues the point of the unintentional criminalization of the transmission of the virus. NAPWA feels that “From a public health perspective, applying criminal law to cases not involving intent can actually impede HIV prevention” (Lesieur) Individuals aware of this law who may feel the law is unjust will be less opting to learn their status.

Doing this could possibly cause an even greater spread of the virus. The benefits of an individual finding out his/her status is the proper care of that individual as well as keeping that individual’s partner safe. The proper care comes through appropriate medication and thorough education. Every individual with breath in his/her body still has a life to live no matter what they’re living with. Teaching individuals how to live with the HIV/AIDS virus is just as important as teaching or preparing your teenager about to graduate from High school to go out and live in college or just out on their own in general.

The generalization of the laws designed to prosecute the transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus is a hindrance to this awareness, education and prevention. NAPWA’s Matt Lesieur also argues that “The criminalization of HIV transmission also tends to increase the discrimination against people living with HIV, and other stigmatized groups such as migrants, injecting drug users, sex workers and men who have sex with men” NAPWA didn’t just have a difference of opinion in regards to these laws and legislations that are trying to be put into place but more a “reasonable” solution.

NAPWA’s suggestion instead is as follows: -Criminal law should not be used as tool to prevent the transmission of HIV. Rather Governments should expand public health programs grounded in