Supply Of Needles (Press, 26 December 1987)
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Summary: Supply Of Needles (Press, 26 December 1987)
In a series of letters to the editor published on 26 December 1987, two writers express their opinions on the issues surrounding drug use and its connection to the A.I.D.S. epidemic in New Zealand. Varian J. Wilson critiques the increasing acceptance of "human rights" arguments to justify illegal behaviour, specifically related to drug use and homosexuality. He expresses frustration over providing clean needles to addicts, which he believes undermines the law. Wilson delineates his views on drug users and promiscuous homosexuals, suggesting they are part of a broader category of antisocial behaviour that poses a threat to societal morals. He contrasts New Zealand's laws with those in Britain, noting that British laws apply to adults and highlighting what he perceives as lenient standards in New Zealand regarding the sexual exploitation of minors. In response, Diane Simone defends the actions of a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand who supplied sterile needles to intravenous drug users, finding the society's disciplinary decision disheartening. She presents several arguments including that New Zealand faces a significant A.I.D.S. issue, similar to that of Britain, which prompts a necessity for immediate and practical responses. Simone stresses that without sterile needles, drug users are likely to share, thereby exacerbating the spread of the A.I.D.S. virus. She cites a prominent American epidemiologist, stressing that controlling the virus within the intravenous drug-user population is critical for addressing the epidemic overall. Her letter criticises the behaviour of health professionals in failing to prioritise public health considerations in the face of legal and societal challenges.
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