GIVE NEEDLE EXCHANGE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY

When Gov. W. Mitt Romney vetoed a bill this summer to allow the sale
of needles without a prescription, a spokesman explained why the
governor was opposed to the legislation.

"Legalizing needles is like giving matches to an arsonist," said Eric
Fehrnstrom.

The Legislature overrode the governor's veto, and on Sept. 18,
Massachusetts became the 48th state in the nation allowing
over-the-counter sales of hypodermic needles.

The legislation still has its critics who say it will encourage
illegal drug use, but public health officials say it is the single
most important prevention legislation in this state in the past decade.

In the two weeks since the legislation became law, there has not been
a rush on pharmacies by illegal drug users. The experience in the
other states, including all of the other New England states, where
needles have been legal for some time, pours cold water on the
governor's match-arsonist fears. There have been no reports that drug
users in those states find it easier to use illegal drugs, and no
statistics to show that drug-related crime has increased as a result.

This law will save lives, slow the spread of HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C
and other bloodborne diseases at no cost to the taxpayers and save
millions of dollars in health-care costs.

Now, it's time for Massachusetts to take the next step.

Legislators should expand the state's needle exchange program. When a
drug user participates in a needle exchange program, he or she has
direct contact with a counselor who is trained to encourage treatment.

Four communities - Northampton, Provincetown, Cambridge and Boston -
adopted the needle exchange program. Public health officials in those
communities say the program has been a complete success. Efforts to
establish needle exchange in Holyoke and Springfield failed because
opponents were able to demonize needles and link their use with
crime. That, in itself, is a crime. Holyoke has the third highest
rate of HIV infection due to intravenous drug use in the state,
followed by Springfield. Needle exchange is needed in Holyoke and Springfield.

Now that lawmakers have legalized needles, the next step should be easy.