ntravenous drug use with nonsterile needles is one of the leading causes of the spread of AIDS.

ntravenous drug use with nonsterile needles is one of the leading causes of the spread of AIDS. Many states passed legislation allowing officials to distribute clean needles in an effort to combat this method of infection. But in eleven states, including some of the most populous, possession of hypodermic syringes without a prescription is illegal. The laws in these foot-dragging states must be changed if we hope to end this epidemic.