From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

 MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

 MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Help  

Needle Exchange Program is approved by House Committee

March 6, 1997
By: Renee Basick
State Capital Bureau Drug addicts will be handed free needles by state government as part of legislation approved by the House Health committee.

Renee Basick has the story from Jefferson City.

A bill designed to halt the spread of AIDS among drug addicts who "shoot up" was passed to the House floor.

The bill will create a program to give abusers sterile needles in exchange for thier dirty ones.

Kansas City Democrat Mary Bland co-sponsored the bill.

She says the issue is to save lives, not condone drug use.

Actuality:Rep. Bland
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: we have another opportunity to save lives and to get drug users healed. The bill faced great opposition in committee due to fear the program will give addicts the idea that drug use is ok.

The program faces Republican opponents even though Representative Laurie Donovan, a St. Louis Republican, was the other sponsor.