December 9, 2002

During his remarks on World AIDS Day December 1, Conference President Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced that he would be filing a bill that would allow hypodermic needles to be sold over the counter in Boston pharmacies. Currently, a doctor's prescription is needed in order to purchase a hypodermic needle or syringe. The over-the-counter sale of syringes is thought to make it easier for injection drug users to inject safely, thereby reducing the spread of HIV and hepatitis among drug users and their sexual partners. Nationwide, one-third of all AIDS cases and a substantial portion of other blood-borne diseases, such as hepatitis B and C, are linked to injection drug use. In Massachusetts, approximately 32 percent of all AIDS cases are transmitted through injection drug use. According to a recent report issued by the state Department of Public Health, about the same percentage are lMayors Introduce New Initiatives on World AIDS Day

Mayors Introduce New Initiatives on World AIDS Day

On December 1, many Americans observed World AIDS Day by gathering for rallies and memorials. Several prominent mayors marked the occasion by unveiling specific actions:

• Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced that he would be filing a bill that would allow hypodermic needles to be sold over the counter in Boston pharmacies as an effort to stem the rising number of HIV infections among injection drug users.
• Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley declared a "state of emergency" in the city's battle against AIDS and called for a coordinated assault by public and private interests on the disease, which disproportionately affects the black community. O'Malley made the announcement at a news conference, saying, "I'm declaring a public health emergency with respect to HIV and AIDS." He added, "I'm urging all citizens... to step up efforts so this scourge can be conquered in the city, this country and this globe." O'Malley said he intends to create a standing commission of public health officials and other experts to monitor the epidemic and the city's efforts to fight the virus.

According to a new U.N. report, more than 5 million people worldwide will have contracted the AIDS virus in 2002, bringing the total number of those infected to 42 million. Of those who will die from HIV/AIDS this year, 610,000 are younger than 15, and almost half are women.