People use hypodermic needles as a means of putting their drug of choice into their system as quickly as possible. The idea is to put the drug directly into a vein as opposed to intramuscularly injecting, where the drug is diverted to the central nervous system at a slower rate. Other names for injecting are mainlining, shooting up, and slamming.

In California it is against the law to possess any instrument used for injecting a controlled substance (CHSC). On September 30, 2002 Governor Davis vetoed bill number SB 1785 providing for an amendment to the current law that would allow possession and purchase of syringes by individuals over age 18. On October 1, 2002 he vetoed SB 1734 that would have allowed needle exchange programs to operate within the state (California).

The addict often prefers injection to other mean of ingestion because of the rush that is experienced when the full effects of a self-administered dose are felt all at once. With heroin it is a sudden feeling of euphoria, well-being, and relaxation that overcomes the user. The injector of methamphetamine, or speed, feels what seems to be the final part of an exhalation with heat in the chest as the heart picks up it’s pace in response to the foreign substance. When a person slams cocaine the rush is felt as a ringing in the ears accompanying the same racing heartbeat that the meth user feels, however the length of time the overall high lasts with the cocaine user is significantly shorter that that of heroin or meth.

There are numerous issues to be considered with regard to the legality of possession of syringes. Why would anyone want to inject drugs to begin with? If it were a need for the addict, then what would influence the first time user to inject? Purity and sterility of street drugs is questionable under any circumstances. Curiosity, peer pressure, and the thrill of a new experience, legal or not, seems to be enough to recruit new users.

Opponents of decriminalizing the possession of needles need onl

Some topics in this essay:
HIV IV, HIV HCV, Governor Davis, Virus HIV, AIDS Foundation, , exchange programs, CHSC September, needle exchange, needle exchange programs, exchange programs operate, hypodermic needles, D-Los Angeles, programs operate, iv drug users, iv drug, clean needles, drug users,