Pubdate: Sat, 08 Jul 2006 Source: Allston-Brighton Tab (MA) Copyright: 2006 Allston-Brighton Tab Contact: http://www2.townonline.com/allston/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3611 Author: Priscilla Yeon, State House News Service 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) CITING RISE IN HEROIN DEATHS, GOVERNOR VETOES NEEDLE BILL BOSTON - Citing an increase in heroin deaths and hospitalizations, Gov. Mitt Romney vetoed legislation last week that proponents say will slow the spread of HIV and hepatitis C by making clean needles readily available, without a prescription, to illegal drug users. Romney called the legislature's work "laudable" in an effort to stop the spread of intravenous diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C, but said signing the bill would lead to "unintended consequences in public health." "We believe that upon review of this bill that some of the unintended consequences could be more severe than the benefits that would be achieved by signing the bill. For that reason I have vetoed the bill that has been brought to my desk," said Romney. The move disappointed lawmakers and public health advocates who have been lobbying for many years to decriminalize needle possession and allow the sale of syringes in pharmacies. Massachusetts is one of three states in the country to require hypodermic needles to be sold with a prescription, along with New Jersey and Delaware. House and Senate sponsors of the bill reacted by saying they are hopeful to amass a two-thirds majority in both branches to override the governor's veto. Citing a dramatic rise of heroin use and a sharp decline of HIV/AIDS transmission rate from 1997 to 2004, Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey said passing the bill "would send the wrong message" by making needles readily available to illegal drug users. "We feel [the bill] was ultimately misguided and did not create the proper balance between public safety and public health and in fact it may have been addressing the wrong public health issue," said Healey. Healey used numbers to make her case. She said the Department of Public Health statistics indicate the transmission rate of HIV/AIDS through intravenous drug use has declined from 32.8 percent of new cases in 1997 to 15.7 percent of new cases in 2004, the most recent year for which statistics are available. Over the same period, fatal overdoses and heroin-related hospitalizations have risen. In 1997, there were 9,612 heroin-related hospitalizations, compared to 17,704 in 2004. Over "roughly the same time period," fatal heroin overdoses jumped from 178 to 574. She said Massachusetts is reportedly in the top 5 percent for heroin use in the nation. "We cannot, in good conscience, say we should make needles more available to heroin addicts and we cannot say to our kids we're making the right decision by making needles available over the counter," said Healey. Holyoke Police Chief Anthony Scott, who joined Romney at the press conference, commended the governor for vetoing the legislation, calling it a measure that would "make drug deals easier to occur." "This bill would have taken a valuable tool away from law enforcement, and that is the illegal possession of hypodermic needle, which is used to make our communities safer," said Scott. "This bill would have added to the number of needles we would be picking up at our parks and at our playgrounds." Last year in Allston-Brighton, within a week, two residents found exposed, used syringes on the street in Allston. And officials, including City Councilor Jerry McDermott are now working to provide more opportunities for safe disposal for residents who come across these needles. But Rep. Peter Koutoujian, D-Waltham, co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Health and co-sponsor of the bill, said the measure would increase public safety for police officers. "It actually protects all of our first responders because there will be less dirty needles," said Koutoujian. He plans to ask for support of the legislators to override Romney's veto. Koutoujian said the governor is the one sending the wrong message, as opposed to proponents of the bill, because he recently cut $8.2 million from a substance abuse treatment request. Healey was asked if she has any evidence that proves expanding the access to clean needles would increase illicit drug abuse. Healey said she does have "good statistics" but was working with other public health officials to get "real-time bases of heroin abuse and deaths." Sen. Robert O'Leary, D-Barnstable, who co-sponsored the bill, said he was not surprised by Romney's action. "It's appealing to people's fears and ignoring the facts," he said. "Decriminalizing needles save people's lives." "The evidence will say it will lower the transfer of needles," said Rebecca Haag, executive director of AIDS Action Committee, who favors the bill. "This project reduces the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C with no increase in crime." Democratic Party Chairman Philip Johnston said Romney's vetoed "life-saving" legislation. "When presented with the opportunity to make Massachusetts a safer and healthier place to all residents, Mitt Romney and Kerry Healey turned their backs. If the governors of 47 other states will do what it takes to help stop the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, why can't our governor and lieutenant governor do the same? Their action today is a disgrace." Assistant House Majority Leader Byron Rushing, D-Boston, said the governor's action on the bill reflects his focus on "national conservative politics." "This bill will save lives and I am confident we will override his veto and pass this rational and proven public health policy," Rushing said in a statement. "Whatever the governor and his advisors think about addicts, I'm saddened that they have no compassion for the people they ultimately interact with. Dirty needles put addicts' partners at risk also." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman