TO THE EDITOR:
In North Carolina, one in ten police officers on average are stuck or cut by syringes or sharp drug paraphernalia in the first ten years on duty. This is a dangerous occupational hazard, as these paraphernalia can carry blood-borne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C. In addition, if a person contracts these diseases, they could rack up a lifetime treatment cost of $680,000 for HIV or $100,000 for hepatitis C.
To protect police officers and avoid the economic burden to taxpayers, the N.C. General Assembly passed N.C. House Bill 850 — a partial syringe decriminalization law. As of Dec. 1, 2013, if drug users surrender the sharp paraphernalia prior to a search, they will not be charged for that specific paraphernalia. The bill looks to create an honest and safe relationship between the drug user and the police officer. In addition, partially decriminalizing syringes will lead to drug users no longer discarding sharp drug paraphernalia in parks, trash cans or the street. Although the law passed with the support of the N.C. Sheriffs’ Association, many police officers remain unaware of its specific provisions and of its potential safety benefits. Increased awareness by police officers regarding H.B. 850 has the ability to decrease the incidence of needle-sticks by 66 percent, as has been documented in other states with full syringe decriminalization policies.
As students at UNC, we are aware of drug use across college campuses and in our community. Improving the public’s health and law enforcement’s safety starts with smart policies like H.B. 850 and widespread awareness.
Mariam Diallo ’16
Global studies
African studies
Yasemin Cole ’16
Biology
