The Press Saturday, December 27, 1986. A.I.D.S. At... (Press, 27 December 1986)

On 27 December 1986, it was reported that the New Zealand Government’s special advisory committee on acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has recommended easing restrictions on the possession of syringes and needles. This recommendation is driven by the need to address the spread of AIDS, primarily transmitted through shared use of dirty needles among intravenous drug users. The committee advocates for a needle exchange programme to facilitate drug addicts in swapping used needles for sterile ones to mitigate contamination risks. The Minister of Health, Dr Bassett, has shown hesitation regarding this recommendation, expressing concern that such measures might contribute to increased drug abuse. However, evidence from the Netherlands, where a needle exchange scheme was implemented two years prior, does not support this fear, indicating no significant rise in drug use. The committee emphasises that drug availability, rather than the availability of needles, is the primary driver of drug abuse. The focus on needle accessibility should not outweigh the urgent need to control the AIDS epidemic, which remains incurable. Furthermore, the advisory committee warns that AIDS could extend beyond its current demographics—homosexuals, intravenous drug users, and sex workers—effecting broader segments of society, including haemophiliacs, newborns, and health professionals, who could contract the virus through unexpected means. The priority, they argue, should be reducing the number of individuals who contract AIDS to protect the general population. The article criticises both Dr Bassett and the advisory committee for their ambiguous language, which tends to dilute the perception of intravenous drug users as a public health risk. It argues that the focus should solely be on the health of the broader community rather than on preserving the notions of drug users’ identities. An effective needle exchange programme could also direct more drug users towards rehabilitation, hence benefiting public health overall. Currently, the incidence of AIDS among drug users in New Zealand appears low, with a reported singular case involving a concurrent homosexual drug user and a few others testing positive. However, surveys indicate that a significant majority of intravenous drug users share needles. If the AIDS virus were to infiltrate this population, the potential for rapid transmission is substantial. Statistics reveal that drug abuse accounts for a notable percentage of AIDS cases in both the United States and the United Kingdom. New Zealand is presented with an opportunity to prevent a similar situation from developing domestically. The advisory committee strongly advocates taking proactive measures to head off an impending health crisis before it manifests within the intravenous drug user community.

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