Taiwan mulls giving addicts access to needles to reduce HIV transmission

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2005

TAIPEI (AFP) — Taiwan's health authorities said they were considering providing drug addicts with access to sterile syringes as shared needles rather than sex were now the leading mode of HIV infection on the island.

Under the "harm reduction" programme, "police may no longer follow the drug users who buy needles and injection equipment from drugs stores," Center for Disease Control official Tsai Shu-fen told AFP on Sunday.

"How the measures would be implemented by local governments may vary, depending on their final decisions."

The programme would be implemented on a trial basis after further discussions among relevant government agencies, she said.

Opponents have claimed it was tantamount to approving use of illegal drugs but the center said it was...