--> State Legislature Sends Needle Exchange to Floor
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State Legislature Sends Needle Exchange to Floor

February 28, 1997
By: Renee Basick
State Capital Bureau

SOC

State govenrment could find itself in the business of dealing needles if two Missouri representatives have it their way. Renee Basick details the controversey from the state capital.

The proposed needle exchange program aims at halting the spread of AIDS by making sure dirty needles aren't being shared.

St. Louis Republican Laurie Donovan and Representative Mary Bland sponsored the bill.

Donovan says HIV infection can be reduced by targeting needle users.

Actuality:Rep. L. Donovan
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Contents: The spread of HIV is in the drug using communities, not the homosexual community.

According to the state HIV and AIDS prevention bureau, almost ten percent of all infections through last year were among intraveneous drug users.

Mark Pickering, executive director of the St. Louis Effort for AIDS supports the program, yet realizes it can be misunderstood.

He says many people think government is giving addicts a green light.

Actuality:Mark Pickering
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Contents: The program is scary- it may seem that government is supporting drug use but there is no data to support that.

Pickering says the program would strongly urge users to seek substance abuse counseling.

Representative Jim Howerton is a member of the committee reveiwing the bill.

He says it isn't government's job to give drug users needles, even if it could save lives.

Actuality:Rep. Jim Howerton
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Contents: Government has no place using tax payer money to make an illegal act safer.

Howerton says it's like giving burglars rubber bullets so it won't hurt when they shoot you.

But it may be more complicated than that.

State government could break it's own law if the bill is passed.

According to Dan Crider, Administrator of the state narcotics bureau, it is unlawful in Missouri to deliver or manufacture drug paraphenalia.

Distribution of syringes and needles with the intent of drug injection is illegal.

From Jefferson City, this is Renee Basick.