Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
San Francisco Chronicle - Friday, October 10, 2003
SB774, which could help that effort, sits in limbo on the governor's desk.
The Pharmacy Syringe Sale and Disease Prevention Act authored by Sen. John Vasconcellos, D-Santa Clara, would allow pharmacists to sell up to 30 syringes without a prescription -- to those 18 or older -- to curb blood-borne diseases by giving drug users access to clean syringes.
Since 1981, more than 24,000 Californians have contracted HIV via dirty syringes.
Statewide, septic syringes account for 19 percent of all AIDS cases -- including 37.3 percent of cases involving women. California is one of five states that require needle prescriptions despite numerous studies that show access to clean needles from pharmacies reduces the transmission of blood- borne disease -- without increasing crime or drug use.
Gov. Gray Davis vetoed a similar bill last year, fearing the streets would be littered with used needles. But states with similar programs report no such problems.
That's why SB774 is endorsed by groups ranging from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the California Pharmacists Association. We ask the governor to sign it.
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