There is a killer in California, claiming victims every day, and there is little hope of stopping it at any time soon. What I am speaking of is the effect of an epidemic that can be greatly reduced by changing the laws regarding possession and availability of syringes and hypodermic needles by intravenous (IV) drug users. Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) caused by shared hypodermic needles is preventable.
People use hypodermic needles as a means of putting their drug of choice into their system as quickly as possible. The idea is to put the drug directly into a vein as opposed to intramuscularly injecting, where the drug is diverted to the central nervous system at a slower rate. Other names for injecting are mainlining, shooting up, and slamming. .
In California it is against the law to possess any instrument used for injecting a controlled substance (CHSC). On September 30, 2002 Governor Davis vetoed bill number SB 1785 providing for an amendment to the current law that would allow possession and purchase of syringes by individuals over age 18. On October 1, 2002 he vetoed SB 1734 that would have allowed needle exchange programs to operate within the state (California). .
Since 1992 bills have been presented and rejected in California that would allow needle exchange programs to operate. When introducing her bill for needle exchange programs in 1997, Sen. Diane Watson, D-Los Angeles, said that transmission of HIV among IV drug users decreases by thirty percent when clean needles are made available and also increases the chance of addicts going into recovery programs for help with their addiction ("Former"). Exchange programs operate throughout the state without the approval or backing of state government. Users may be hesitant to take advantage of these programs for fear of being seen, by police, coming or going with needles in their possession.