LEGE FAILS TEXANS ON HEALTH

The Texas Legislature approved a $3 billion bond proposal to establish
a Cancer Research and Prevention Institute, a laudable endeavor, but
failed to enact two measures that would have improved Texans' health
care while saving money.

SB 308, sponsored by Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, would have allowed
local health authorities to set up programs that exchange used
syringes for sterile ones. Such programs drastically reduce the spread
of hepatitis, HIV and other blood-borne diseases. The cost of treating
a single HIV case can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Millions of taxpayer dollars could have been saved.

HB 1534, sponsored by Elliot Naishtat, D-Austin, would have allowed
people using marijuana on doctors' advice to raise a defense of
medical necessity to possession charges. The effect would have been to
discourage law enforcement from arresting legitimate patients.

Suzanne Wills, Drug Policy Forum of Texas, Dallas