WA: Despite Law, Clean Needles Remain Rare
The Washington state legislature passed a law this year allowing pharmacies to legally sell hypodermic needles to anyone over age 18. But despite the law, drug users say it's still hard to find the clean needles that prevent the spread of AIDS, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Sept. 9.
Seattle's population of 17,000 injection-drug users need about 17 million syringes annually, but only about 2 million are handed out by state health agencies through needle-exchange programs.
Pharmacies are encouraged to sell the needles and provide buyers with drug-treatment and AIDS-prevention information, and about half of Seattle-area pharmacies have agreed to do so.
Still, many pharmacists are unaware of the new law, and addicts point out that the needle-exchange program is only open for a few hours a day, making access difficult. Even those drug users who say they use the needle-exchange program admit that they also occasionally share dirty needles.
Also, pharmacists say some customers resist the prevention information; that they feel they are aiding people in ruining their lives by selling them needles; or worry about attracting a bad element to their stores.
Other pharmacists say they have seen little demand for needles even after the law's passage.
