Needle Scheme Opposed (Press, 1 June 1988)

On 1 June 1988, the National Society on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence expressed strong opposition to a national needle and syringe exchange scheme aimed at supporting intravenous drug users. The programme, which had been in operation for two weeks, allowed users to purchase a needle and syringe exchange pack for $9, which included information on AIDS and condoms. Users could pay $6 if they returned a used needle or syringe. Dr Jean Bryson, the chairman of the society's treatment committee, argued that providing needles to addicts sends a contradictory message. She contended that supplying these instruments merely encourages addiction and tacitly approves of illegal drug use. Dr Bryson highlighted concerns about the potential dangers posed by discarded needles, particularly to children, who might encounter them and face risks of infection. Dr Bryson advocated for a focus on treatment for addicts rather than providing them with supplies that could perpetuate their drug use. She noted that the connection between intravenous drug users and positive antibody tests for the AIDS virus was relatively low, questioning the necessity of a needle exchange initiative. At that time, the Health Department reported 76 cases of AIDS in New Zealand, with 67 of those cases (88 per cent) being among homosexual individuals, and only two cases linked to intravenous drug users, who were also identified as homosexual.

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