Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Chicago Tribune - March 25, 2003
Kate McCann, Tribune staff reporter
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."
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