LEGAL NEEDLES

Illinois House Passes Bill Legalizing Purchase Of Syringes

In the past, the idea of supplying needles to intravenous (IV) drug
users has met with controversy in the statehouse.

For those against the practice, supplying needles to drug addicts
condones illegal drug activity.

Although bills that would make it legal for Illinois residents to
obtain needles have been introduced by legislators in each of the past
few years, they have always failed to pass either chanber. But last
week's passage of House Bill 298 by the Illinois House might reflect
that public sentiment is swaying in the opposite direction.

"In the interest of preventing the transmission of AIDS and other
communicable diseases, it shall not be a criminal offense for a person
at least eighteen years of age to purchase up to ten hypodermic
needles from a registered pharmacist," states the bill, introduced by
representateve Sara Feigenholtz, a Chicago Democrat.

Nationally, approximately 56 percent of the new AIDS cases are related
to IV drug use. And IV drug use also has a significant impact on
reported AIDS cases in Illinois.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), since
the state began keeping record of AIDS cases in 1981, 7,710 men abd
1,696 women have reportedly become infected through IV drug use. In
1999, 451 newly reported cases were among IV users.

According to local AIDS activists, the bill is long over
due.

"We need this," said Penny Williams, who routinely walks the street
educating drug addicts about AIDS and distributing HIV literature,
condoms, and bleach kits, which are used to clean dirty needles.

"It's always good whenever addicts are given access to material that
will keep them safe and from becoming infected with HIV," she
continued. "But even more than this, we need needle exchange so that
addicts will not have to pay for the needles. Given the choice
between buying needles and drugs, addicts are going to buy crugs every
time," noted Williams.

The IV drug users most likely to benefit from the bill are the middle-
and upper-class addicts who are "at less risk" of becoming infected,
Williams added.

But getting addicts to think about using clean needles isn't
easy.

"First of all, I don't even have transportation to go to a drug store
and get the needles," said Rodney, a user who lives on Springfield's
east side and routinely shares needles. "When I shoot up, it's not a
planned event. It just happens. I'm not going to buy them [needles]
just to have for whenever I feel like shooting up.

"I know that by sharing needles I may get AIDS," Rodney told Illinois
Times, "but when you think about it, there are risks in everything you
do."

Rodney admits that if clean needles were free and someone was handing
them out on the streets he would "be much more likely to use clean
needles."

While some legislators support Feigenholtz's bill, others are
concerned that, if passed, more needles will be found on the streets.

Williams agrees. "I often see discarded needles, especially on
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth streets, between Carpenter and North Grand
[Avenue]," she said.

"If needles are not properly disposed of, garbage men may be stuck by
needles sticking out of garbage bags, or the needles might be
discarded on the streets, which puts others in jeopardy," Williams
observed. "A needle exchange would be a bigger benefit to the public
and help reduce cases of HIV."

IDPH has not taken a position on HB 298. "In terms of this bill the
department is neutral," said Tom Shafer, IDPH spokesperson. "Because
there are other public policy issues to consider, we believe that law
enforcement and substance abuse experts should be brought in to weigh
those issues."

According to Shafer, IDPH favors needle exchange programs, "because
there is data that suggests that it is effective in preventing HIV.