The San Francisco AIDS Foundation today strongly praised Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for signing SB 1159, authored by Senator John Vasconcellos (D-Santa Clara). This new law will permit cities and counties to authorize local pharmacies to sell up to 10 syringes to adults without a prescription and will permit individuals to possess up to 10 syringes obtained from authorized sources. AIDS advocates called the bill essential to further reducing the transmission of HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases. Until today, California was one of only five remaining states that prohibited the sale of syringes without a prescription.

Sharing used syringes is directly linked to 20% of all reported AIDS cases in California. Over 26,000 state residents have been infected with HIV since 1981 as a direct result of needle sharing. Studies demonstrate that broader access to syringes can reduce new HIV infections among injection drug users by as much as one half, without increasing rates of drug use or crime. This new law will also have the additional benefit of reducing HIV transmission to injectors' sexual partners and their children.

"We are extremely gratified that the Governor has chosen sound public health policy over politics," said Fred Dillon, SFAF Policy Director. "SB 1159 will protect thousands of people from HIV and hepatitis and will save California millions of dollars in unnecessary medical costs. The Governor was wise to recognize that this law will save lives and will not result in increased drug use or crime."

It costs an individual approximately 15 cents to purchase a syringe at a pharmacy at no cost to the public, while it can cost as much as $34,000 a year to treat an individual infected with HIV. Studies also show that permitting possession of syringes protects peace officers from needle-stick injuries because injection drug users are not motivated to hide syringes if stopped by police.

Unfortunately, the Governor did veto another law that would have expanded access to sterile syringes, AB 2871 by Assembly Member Patty Berg (D- Santa Rosa). That bill would have eliminated a requirement that cities and counties authorizing needle exchange programs must declare a local health emergency every two or three weeks. That requirement has been cited as a barrier to the creation of lifesaving exchange programs in as many as nine counties in California.

"We understand the Governor's concerns about AB 2871 and are eager to take him up on the commitment contained in his veto message to reconsider the bill in the future," said Dana Van Gorder, Director of State & Local Affairs for SFAF. "Despite the veto of this bill, we praise Governor Schwarzenegger for working with public health advocates to enact legislation that will reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis."