Needle sales to
begin September 18 in Massachusetts

Lawmakers in Massachusetts have overridden Gov. Mitt Romney's veto of a bill that would allow over-the-counter sales of hypodermic needles in an effort to reduce needle sharing and lower HIV infection risks among injection-drug users. The vote to override the veto was 113-42 in the state house and 25-11 in the senate. The law takes effect September 18. Possession of needles also is decriminalized under the law. State health officials will study the effect of needle sales and ways to collect used needles. (The Advocate)