Pubdate: Sun, 02 Jul 2006
Source: Milford Daily News, The (MA)
Copyright: 2006 The Milford Daily News
Contact:  http://www.milforddailynews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2990
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)

OVERRIDE NEEDLE VETO

Science is unlocking the secrets of addiction, which they 
increasingly define not as a crime or character flaw, but as a 
chronic brain disorder. It's a complicated business, but here's one 
of their simpler conclusions: Hypodermic needles don't cause 
addiction -- and making needles illegal doesn't prevent addiction.

That's a lesson lost on Gov. Mitt Romney and Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, 
who made a big show Friday of vetoing legislation legalizing the sale 
of hypodermic needles without a prescription. Instead, they pandered, 
preened and pretended they were taking a strong stand against substance abuse.

The legislation, approved by wide margins in the House and Senate, is 
a simple public health measure already in place in 47 other states. 
Legalizing needle sales doesn't increase heroin use -- nobody decides 
to use heroin just because there's a needle available -- but it does 
reduce the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C and other diseases spread when 
addicts share needles.

"We cannot in good conscience say we should make needles more 
available to heroin users," said Healey, who is running for governor. 
A trained social scientist, she should know better. Heroin is a most 
powerful addiction; no addict quits because finding a clean needle is 
too much trouble.

Healey warned of children finding discarded needles or being shocked 
to see someone purchasing needles at a pharmacy. But insulin users 
and others legally purchase needles now, without grave societal harm, 
and the states that have passed this legislation report no sharp 
increase in hypodermic litter.

One of the reasons our drug policies fail is because politicians 
choose to make themselves look virtuous instead of looking to 
research-based, public health solutions. The Legislature should 
override this veto without hesitation.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman