It is not and never is the reed that causes the problem. The reed vibrates at a high frequency and throws of most of the moisture.
There are several solutions, ranging from not producing saliva (is it possible to train the mouth to do that?), somehow swallowing between breathes, to modifying or otherwise act upon the practice chanter.
The production of saliva is supposed to be an involuntary action, and I'll bet that most people are unable to control it. The next best option is to control the moisture.
There are practice chanters with water traps (which contain the moisture). John Walsh, at http://www.pgonline.com/georgemusic/John... makes one.
If you already have a practice chanter and don't want to buy another one, you can make your own water trap. Get a plain, new kitchen sponge. Cut out a circle of it in the same size as the inside diameter of the chanter top. Cut a slice into the sponge to the middle, then cut a little more in the center. Slide the sponge onto the bottom of the reed where it meets the chanter top. As you play, the sponge absorbs the moisture. When it get too wet, give the sponge a good squeeze (Yuk!) and wipe the reed with a bit of kleenex if needed.
Another way to deal with moisture is to flick the practice chanter away from you. Hold by the bottom part and flick away. This is the solution I recommend.
Use extra long pipe cleaners to periodically swab out your practice chanter. Alternatively, use a cane reed, which absorbs more moisture.
I still like flicking the practice chanter. You can also disassemble it, blow through the top half, put the reed in your mouth, then suck and wiggle your tongue (which produces weird noises). But then, I'm weird.
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