Why We Should Provide Universal Access to Sterile Syringes

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Due to legal restrictions placed on obtaining clean syringes, the transmission of blood borne disease is high among injection drug users. Addicts share and reuse needles because they have trouble obtaining sterile syringes needed to consume one per use or per person. In the past, many held the belief that the best option was to deny addicts all access to drug paraphernalia. Some still believe this is the best option despite evidence revealing how injurious this policy is. It is assumed to be beneficial for the addict and for society to deny easy access to drug paraphernalia. As a consequence, the United States has limited access to clean syringes in many areas by passing laws rendering the sale, distribution, and possession of syringes (without a prescription) illegal. Yet, a 2002 publication by the Center for Law and the Public’s Health stresses that “evaluation research and experience in the field show that adequate syringe access produces positive health effects without creating negative societal one” (Burris, Strathdee, and Vernick 2). Laws that prevent access to sterile syringes were not helpful in deterring drug use, nor did they slow down crime or prevent new users. What they did accomplish however; was triggering an explosion of blood borne disease throughout the country. Since we now know that providing access to sterile syringes has been shown to limit the transmission of viral and bacterial infections among users who currently cannot or will not stop their illicit behavior, we should take action to remove access barriers. Even as more and more people come around to realization that clean needles are a part of the solution not the problem, antiquated laws prevent the sale and distribution of these lifesaving tools. Shar... ... middle of paper ... ...ringe Source, Disposal, and Pharmacy Sales in Harlem, New York." Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association 42.0 (2002): S77-82. Print. Rasnake, Maj. Mark S., Maj. Nicholas G. Conger, Col C. Kenneth McAllister, King K. Holmes, and Edmund C. Tramont. "History of U.S. Military Contributions to the Study of Sexually Transmitted Diseases." Military Medicine 170 (2005): 61-65. Armed Forces Infectious Diseases Society, Apr. 2005. Web. 17 Oct. 2011. . "Syringe Exchange Programs." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC, Dec. 2005. Web. 18 Oct. 2011. . Szalavitz, Maia. "Why Obama Isn't Funding Needle-Exchange Programs." Time. 16 May 2009. Web. 18 Oct. 2011. .

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