The Massachusetts House of Representatives has approved a bill to legalize over-the-counter sales of hypodermic needles, sending the bill to the state Senate for consideration, the Boston Globe reported May 1.

Supporters say the law will slow the spread of HIV, hepatitis, and other illnesses transmitted by sharing dirty needles.  "People who are addicted to drugs will [use drugs] anyway -- and we need better provisions for them to stop using drugs," said Sen. Susan Fargo (D-Lincoln), chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health. "But a clean-needles bill doesn't encourage drug use, it doesn't encourage crime. It just makes sense."

But some GOP lawmakers and Republican Gov. Mitt Romney oppose the move, saying it sends the wrong message about drug use. "We would be saying to people, 'What you are doing is illegal. But we'll at least give you the needle to do it,'" said Senate minority leader Brian P. Lees (R-East Longmeadow). "I don't think we would be sending the right message."

Forty-seven other states now allow legal sales of needles; sales remain illegal only in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Delaware. The Massachusetts bill would legalize needle sales to people over age 18 and decriminalize needle possession. Pharmacists would be required to hand out information on addiction treatment programs and proper needle use and disposal to buyers.

The House passed the bill 115-37.

A Romney spokesperson said the bill would be vetoed if it reaches the governor's desk. "Governor Romney believes that removing prescription controls on hypodermic needles is a bad idea," said spokesperson Eric Fehrnstrom. "It encourages heroin use, and because there is no system for the safe disposal of used syringes, it threatens to litter our parks, beaches, and neighborhoods with dirty needles."