Pubdate: Fri, 09 Jun 2006
Source: Union-News (MA)
Copyright: 2006 Union-News
Contact:  http://www.masslive.com/unionnews/index.ssf
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/860
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

NO HARMFUL SIDE EFFECTS IF NEEDLES BECOME LEGAL

Gov. W. Mitt Romney will likely veto a bill that allows needles to be 
sold in Massachusetts pharmacies without a prescription.

"Legalizing needles is like giving matches to an arsonist," said Eric 
Fehrnstrom, the governor's spokesman.

We heard something like that in Springfield and Holyoke when public 
health officials attempted, without success, to establish needle 
exchange programs. Opponents said needle exchange would encourage 
drug use, send the wrong message to young people and undermine 
efforts by law-enforcement agencies to halt illegal drug traffic.

Here's their mistake: They see illegal drug use as a crime statistic 
rather than a public health crisis.

We applaud the state Senate for its 26-8 vote to allow needles to be 
sold without a prescription at pharmacies in Massachusetts. The House 
voted 115-37 to approve the bill in November. The bill was approved 
by enough votes in both branches to override a veto, but Senate 
Minority Leader Brian P. Lees, R-East Longmeadow, thinks he can 
sustain the veto in the Senate. The bill's supporters should not take 
the override for granted.

For opponents, needles represent illegal drug use and crime. They are 
politicians, not public health officials. Massachusetts can save 
lives, slow the spread of infections and save millions of dollars in 
health-care costs by making clean needles available without a prescription.

Massachusetts is one of only three states that bans the sale of 
needles without a prescription. Needles are legal in the other 47 
states. There have been no problems with discarded needles in 
playgrounds; no reports that those states have made it easier for 
drug users to engage in illegal behavior; no evidence that those 
states have jeopardized the safety of families and no statistics to 
show that those states have seen an increase in criminal activity.

Access to clean needles reduces the transmission of blood-borne 
diseases. It's been 25 years since AIDS was first identified. 
Massachusetts is behind the rest of the nation.

It is disappointing Springfield and Holyoke rejected needle-exchange 
centers because it has been such a success in neighboring Northampton.

This bill is no substitute, but it is a beginning.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman