Word Count: 456 - Read Time: 2.3 minutesIntravenous Drug UseFor years researchers believed that sharing syringes among intravenous drug users was by choice. It was all part of the camaraderie, being part of the gang, or a social ritual. Today however, intravenous drug use (IDU) has climbed out of the back alleys and into the middle class neighborhoods, schools, social clubs and gymnasiums. Shared syringes aren't a result of solidarity but one of scarcity. It is now believed that one syringe is used by 4 different individuals a total of 7 times. Additionally it is the primary cause for transmission of HIV and the hepatitis viruses.In the United States half of all new HIV cases are believed to be associated to intravenous drug use (IDU). Of these cases, 50% are heterosexual male, 21% are heterosexual female, 13% are homosexual males, another 13% are partners of the intravenous drug user, and less than 1% are children of mothers who are users or who are sex partners of IDUs. The sharing and reuse of syringes has become a significant threat to public health in the United States. Over 3 billion injection syringes are used each year outside healthcare facilities. IDU's perform as many as 1 billion injections of illicit drugs annually. These disposable syringes are deposited of in the general waste stream with the prospect of injuring workers in trash disposal, recycling and related activities. A new trend in needle policy is on the horizon and began to come together around 2000; deregulation. Deregulation brings the argument between disease prevention and restricted access to the tools of illegal drug use to a head and legislators are now facing this conflict. Of 50 states 46 have applied some approach toward deregulation. The most common are: 1. Lifting restrictions on possession but confining sales to pharmacies. 2. Unrestricted sale and possession of a specified number of syringes. 3. Complete deregulation, lifting all significant restrictions on sale and possession of syringes. To make the new syringe access policy fully effective, much work is still required for the safe disposal of these syringes. While it may be legal for the IDU to purchase a syringe, the IDU is still subject to prosecution for possession once the syringe has been used and trace residue is found in the barrel. The only way an IDU can dispose of the syringe without fear is immediately, still bypassing traditional methods of medical waste disposal. Additionally, many law enforcement agencies and IDU's are not aware of the new legislation or understand the changes in syringe access laws. Properly educating these groups is imperative for any legislation to work. Information Resources:
American Bar Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Drug Policy Alliance
Temple University, Beasley School of Law |
