DAVIS VETOES BILL ALLOWING PHARMACIES TO SELL HYPODERMIC NEEDLES

California Gov. Gray Davis vetoed a bill on Monday that would have allowed
pharmacies to sell hypodermic needles to adults without a doctor's
prescription.

Bill supporters said the measure was intended to reduce the number of cases
of HIV and other diseases caused by needle sharing among drug addicts. They
said needle sharing is linked to 19 percent of all AIDS and half of all
hepatitis C cases.

Opponents said the measure would encourage drug use.

Davis said he could not sign the measure because it did not require a
one-on-one needle exchange, which has been the distribution process of
authorized programs throughout the state.

"This bill," Gray said, "could potentially increase the amount of
contaminated needles and syringes in parks, beaches and other public areas."