BILL ALLOWING SALE OF CLEAN NEEDLES PASSES ASSEMBLY

SACRAMENTO (AP) - A bill that would allow pharmacists to sell needles to
adults without a prescription passed the state Assembly on Thursday.

The bill, authored by Sen. John Vasconcellos, D-San Jose, is intended to cut
down on the transmission of HIV and other diseases caused by sharing needles
among drug addicts.

Supporters say needle sharing is linked to 19 percent of all AIDS and half
of all Hepatitis C cases.

Public agencies currently are allowed to distribute clean needles as part of
the state's needle exchange program.

This law would allow pharmacists and physician to sell up to 30 hypodermic
needles or syringes to someone who is 18 or older.

But Assemblyman Phil Wyman, R-Tehachapi, opposed the bill, saying it
``extends and expands a program that is fundamentally flawed.''

The measure passed in a 43-27 vote. The bill now goes back to the Senate
because of amendments made in the Assembly.