Blagojevich Signs Syringe Access Bill

Fulfilling a campaign promise, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich today signed into law legislation allowing adults to purchase and possess syringes without a prescription.

"Expanded access to sterile syringes will mean less transmission of HIV and other blood-borne diseases in Illinois. It's that simple," said Mark Ishaug, executive director of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC). "By supporting science-based prevention, Gov. Blagojevich has shown real leadership in the fight against AIDS."

More than 40 scientific studies show that access to sterile syringes through needle exchange programs and non-prescription pharmacy sales help slow the spread of HIV and other blood-borne diseases without increasing drug use. Similar prescription repeal efforts in New York, Minnesota, Connecticut, and several other states have decreased rates of syringe sharing, which accounts directly and indirectly for nearly half of all new HIV infections in the U.S.

The governor's action culminates a four-year campaign to expand access to sterile syringes and represents one of most significant victories for AIDS advocates in Illinois.

"This is a new day for HIV prevention in Illinois," said Karen Reitan, AFC state affairs director and principal organizer for efforts to pass the bill. "We are delighted that the governor listened to leaders from the medical, public health, pharmacy, and AIDS advocacy communities and enacted this important piece of legislation."

State Senators Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) and Steven Rauschenberger (R-Elgin) and State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) sponsored the bill, which passed the Senate 30 to 24 on March 24 and passed the House 70 to 48 on May 13. Seven other senators and 25 other House members co-sponsored the legislation, known as Senate Bill 880.

State law in only four states-California, Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Jersey-continues to require prescriptions to purchase syringes.

"Blagojevich's action today should serve as a wake-up call for lawmakers in the four remaining states to make sound HIV prevention policy part of their overall public health strategies," said AFC Associate Director David Munar. "No state should turn its back on a proven approach to HIV prevention."

AFC thanks Gov. Blagojevich, the 100 legislators who voted for the bill, including its principal sponsors and co-sponsors, key proponents of the measure including the ACLU, the Chicago Department of Public Health, the Cook County Department of Public Health, the Illinois State Medical Society, the Illinois Academy of Pediatricians, the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, the Illinois Nurses Association, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, the Illinois Pharmacy Association, the Illinois Public Health Administrators Association, the Illinois Public Health Association, the Planned Parenthood Council of Illinois, Walgreens, and hundreds of organizational and individual supporters across the state.

In the period ahead, AFC will work closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health, affected communities, and pharmacies statewide in disseminating information about the change in law. AFC will also continue to seek increased local, state, and federal funding for HIV prevention services.

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