Illinois House passes bill to allow over-the-counter syringe sales

Blagojevich expected to approve over-the-counter syringe sales

By Christi Parsons and Kate McCann, Tribune staff reporters. Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson contributed to this report
Published May 14, 2003

SPRINGFIELD -- In a move that supporters say will slow the spread of HIV and other blood-borne diseases, the Illinois House Tuesday passed a bill that would make sterile syringes available without a prescription to buyers ages 18 and older.

Designed to discourage the sharing of dirty needles, a leading cause of infection, the measure also would require the Illinois Department of Public Health to distribute educational materials on drug treatment and safe syringe disposal that pharmacies would include with each syringe purchase.

"This is a significant piece of legislation," said Karen Reitan, state affairs director for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. "It costs the state virtually no money, and it will prevent HIV infection. We know that this will decrease the impact of AIDS, not just among people who use drugs, but among their sex partners and their children as well."

The bill goes to Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and staff members said Tuesday he is likely to sign it. The bill passed the House by a vote of 70-48, after clearing the Senate by a vote of 30-24.

Illinois, California, Delaware, Massachusetts and New Jersey are the only states that require a prescription to buy syringes. Advocates have been working for several years to persuade the legislature to change this.

Studies from public health officials helped move the argument this year. Almost half of all new HIV infections result from use of an injected drug or sexual contact with a drug user, according to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. And advocates said states such as Connecticut and Minnesota, which have repealed their prescription requirements, have seen decreases in syringe sharing.

The plan on the governor's desk is a low-cost way to reduce infection, supporters said.

"If people can have access to sterile syringes, they will, time after time, use clean syringes," said state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), the bill's sponsor. "The data has demonstrated very strongly that this really does help stem the spread of AIDS. I think this is a quantum leap."

But opponents said needles cost $2 or $3 for a pack of 10 at drugstores and questioned whether addicts would take the trouble and deal with the embarrassment of going to a pharmacy to buy them without prescription.

One critic, state Rep. Bill Black (R-Danville), said he would rather see a needle-exchange program that could ensure that used materials were disposed of properly. Assuming people buying needles and syringes would safely discard them after use is "wrong in an era where blood-borne pathogens are ravaging the population," he said.

Chicago Democratic Reps. Mary Flowers and Monique Davis also argued that improper disposal of easy-to-buy needles could lead to accidents among young people.

They also contended that easy access to needles might encourage illegal drug use in poorer communities.

"You are asking people who have a condition of using heroin to do something responsible," Flowers said, as she urged colleagues to vote against the bill. "I'm asking you to please take into consideration what we're doing here in regards to drugs. Drugs are illegal in this state. Heroin is illegal in this country. We're sending the wrong message, ladies and gentlemen, to young people that it's OK to do heroin, but it's not OK to do marijuana."


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