Pubdate: Sat, 01 Jul 2006
Source: Boston Herald (MA)
Copyright: 2006 The Boston Herald, Inc
Contact:  http://news.bostonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53
Author: Laura Crimaldi
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

MITT VETOES NEEDLE SALES BILL, RILED POLS VOW OVERRIDE

Gov. Mitt Romney yesterday vetoed a bill that would bring the Bay 
State in line with 47 other states by allowing over-the-counter sales 
of hypodermic needles to prevent the spread of HIV - claiming the 
measure would only add to the state's heroin epidemic.

The Democrat-controlled Legislature, which approved the measure by 
wide margins in the House and Senate, swiftly vowed to override 
Romney's veto. New Jersey and Delaware are the only other states that 
don't allow sales of hypodermic needles in pharmacies without a prescription.

"I'm just very disappointed," said state Rep. Peter Koutijian 
(D-Waltham), a former prosecutor, who said he questioned Romney's 
concern for heroin addiction rates considering last week the governor 
vetoed $8.2 million for substance abuse treatment.

Lt. Gov Kerry Healey pointed to state public health statistics that 
suggest HIV transmission rates due to intravenous drug use have 
declined annually while the number of heroin-related fatal overdoses 
and hospitalizations have shot up.

The transmission rate of new HIV cases caused by intravenous drug use 
statewide has fallen from 32.8 percent in 1997 to 15.7 percent in 
2004, Healey said. During the same period of time, the number of 
fatal heroin overdoses rose from 178 in 1997 to 574 in 2004, she said.

Bill supporters argue research shows legalizing needle sales 
decreases transmission rates of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C without 
having any effect on drug use or crime.

"This is simply a political move on the governor's part," said 
Rebecca Haag, executive director of AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman