SENATE OKS NEEDLE BILL IN EFFORT TO CURB AIDS

SPRINGFIELD -- Anyone 18 or older could buy from pharmacies hypodermic
needles without a prescription under a bill that narrowly passed the
Illinois Senate Monday.

Sponsors hope the bill will curb the spread of HIV/AIDS by giving more drug
users access to clean needles and by educating them on how to properly
dispose of needles. The measure passed the Senate 30-24 and now goes to the
House for consideration.

"Some people use drugs no matter what," said Sen. Steve Rauschenberger
(R-Elgin), a co-sponsor of the measure. "What has been proven in other
states is, if there is access to legally possess sterile needles, there is
a reduced amount of hepatitis and HIV/AIDS in that population."

Under the proposed law, a person could purchase 20 needles at a time at a
pharmacy. The pharmacy would then offer the purchaser educational materials
on drug treatment and safer use and disposal of syringes. The cost for the
Illinois Department of Public Health to provide the educational materials
would be less than $100,000 in the first year, the department estimates.

Illinois is one of five states, along with California, Delaware,
Massachusetts and New Jersey, that require prescriptions to buy syringes,
supporters say.

Sen. Donne Trotter, a Chicago Democrat and the bill's main sponsor, said he
believes the change in Illinois law would reduce HIV transmission here.

Rauschenberger said the law would also help diabetics and their families
because they would not need to find their prescriptions to buy needles in
an emergency.

But opponents argue the measure would not decrease the spread of HIV and
would only put more dirty needles on the streets.

"Needles will be disposed of inappropriately, in which case you're going to
find them sticking through garbage bags and in garbage bins," Sen. Dale
Righter (R-Mattoon) said.

Righter also said he doubts heroin addicts possess the self-control to
drive to the drugstore when "the craze hits them."