His views were shaped in part by his experience as a prosecutor for Federal and State governments. He argues that a system is needed in which addicts are treated rather than turned away from treatment, in which the distribution of drugs does not involve profit, and in which needle sharing and the spread of AIDS by intravenous drug users is reduced. He suggests a system in which drugs are regulated based on their potential for doing harm. His position has met with much criticism, but his political support remains strong. Baltimore also has initiated a pilot needle exchange program designed to reduce the spread of HIV infection among intravenous drug users.