Easy Needle Access Urged (Press, 8 October 1986)

On 8 October 1986, it was reported that Australian drug users are now able to purchase needles and syringes from chemists across the country, following recommendations from the Australian A.I.D.S. Task Force. Professor David Penington, head of the task force, emphasised during his visit to Auckland that New Zealand health authorities should consider adopting a similar approach in response to the low incidence of A.I.D.S. in New Zealand. He cautioned against complacency, stating that although the number of A.I.D.S. cases is low, it would be unwise to wait until the situation worsens. Currently, New Zealand has reported 21 cases of full-blown A.I.D.S., including one case related to an intravenous drug user who is also homosexual. Additionally, two other drug users have been identified with positive A.I.D.S. antibodies, and experts suspect that there may be many more undiagnosed infections. Professor Penington highlighted that the spread of the disease among intravenous drug users is a major concern for Australia, as this group carries the highest risk for a sudden increase in infections. Such infections pose a threat not only to users but also to their sexual partners, including women and infants. Drawing attention to international examples, Professor Penington noted that countries with stringent restrictions on needle access, such as Spain, Italy, and Austria, have experienced significant increases in infections, with more than 50 per cent of intravenous drug users affected. He rejected the notion that providing easier access to syringes and needles would lead to an increase in drug use; rather, he stated that evidence shows where needles are scarce, drug users tend to share them. As a result of the task force's advocacy, South Australia, which has previously maintained legislation prohibiting access to needles, amended its laws, leading to a greater availability of syringes. In coordination with the task force, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia recommended that pharmacies sell needles and syringes without hesitation. Despite the concerns expressed by individual chemists, the policy shift means that drug users can now effectively access these essential items throughout Australia. Although there have been discussions with New Zealand’s Health Department and police regarding the distribution of needles to drug users, both agencies have thus far refrained from endorsing such measures, citing a lack of evidence to support the effectiveness of needle distribution in reducing needle-sharing practices among drug users.

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