February 23, 2006

By Assemblymember John Laird

Last week I introduced a bill that gives local agencies an important new tool to help reduce the transmission of HIV, hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases. The bill, AB 2076, gives agencies the authority to use state HIV prevention and education funds to purchase sterile hypodermic needles and syringes for authorized clean needle and syringe exchange programs. Currently, the state prohibits the use of program funds for the purchase of needles and syringes.

Statistics compiled by the California Department of Health Services (DHS) reveal that sharing of contaminated syringes is linked to 20 percent of all reported AIDS cases in the state. The DHS data suggest that 1,000 to 1,500 new HIV infections occur annually in California due to the sharing of needles. The average per-patient cost for a lifetime of HIV care can be nearly $200,000. Yet, the wholesale cost of a syringe is about 8 cents.

Providing local programs the ability to purchase an adequate supply of sterile hypodermic needles and syringes is essential to California’s ability to protect families, further reduce the transmission rates and relieve public cost for care and treatment.

AB 2076 is co-sponsored by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Drug Policy Alliance Network. Here’s what they’re saying about my legislation:

“Studies have concluded that needle exchange programs suppress the spread of HIV, without contributing to increases in drug use,” said Dana Van Gorder, director of state and local policy at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. “It is imperative that we provide resources to programs that save lives and tax dollars.”

“This legislation appropriates no new funds, but simply provides that local governments may use existing state HIV prevention money to purchase needles and syringes,” said Nikos Leverenz, Director, Drug Policy Alliance-Sacramento.

Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill I authored last year. With changes that may address his concerns, I’m hopeful he will sign AB 2076 this year. With his signature, needle exchange programs will be able to stop fundraising from the community specifically to buy syringes for their programs – and start focusing 100 percent on fundraising for the programs themselves.

I expect AB 2076 to be heard in the Assembly Health Committee in April 2006. Through advocacy here in Santa Cruz and at the state level, please join with me in support of this bill. To learn more about the bill, register your support and track its progress, go to www.leginfo.ca.gov.