NEEDLE EXCHANGE MEASURE MOVES

But Would Bill Reduce Disease or Subsidize Drug Use?

A bill that would allow drug users to legally exchange dirty needles
for clean ones passed out of a Senate committee yesterday on a bipartisan vote.

Supporters of Senate Bill 189 believe allowing needle exchange
programs in Colorado could reduce the spread of blood-borne diseases
like HIV and Hepatitis C. Under current state law, public health
officials can collect used syringes but aren't allowed to give any
needles back in return.

Some Senate Republicans are calling the bill a distraction from more
important issues and an unnecessary subsidization of drug users.

"Dirty needles are an occupational hazard for drug users, sure, but
so are laced drugs and gun fights," said a statement from Senate
Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction. "Does (bill sponsor
Sen. Pat) Steadman think we should buy heroin and bullet proof
jackets for druggies, too?"

For his part, Steadman pointed out that Colorado is among the
minority of states that don't permit a needle exchange program. There
are 211 programs in 92 cities in 32 states across the country that
legally exchange dirty needles for clean ones.

"Colorado is behind the curve on this," Steadman said. "The
overwhelming input from public health experts is that these programs
are proven, effective and safe."

Some Republicans, however, remain unconvinced of the bill's merits.
Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, lamented the fact that the bill
doesn't explicitly bar the use of public funds for needle exchange
programs. He argued that taxpayers shouldn't have to foot the bill
for a program he believes enables drug users.

But Steadman said it's significantly cheaper for taxpayers to pay for
clean needles than it is for them to foot the bill for the expensive
medical treatments that uninsured drug users need if they contract a
disease like HIV.

SB 189 passed on a 5-2 vote out of the Senate Health and Human
Services committee. One Republican, Sen. Shawn Mitchell of
Broomfield, joined four Democrats in supporting the bill.

The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Steadman is
"very optimistic" about the bill's passage into law.