The Town Council of Rome, considering that according to official figures provided by the National Health Institute 907 cases of AIDS were diagnosed in the city of Rome over a total of 1009 ascertained sufferers in the whole Latium area; considering that the spread of AIDS is closely linked to the method with which intravenous drugs are taken, and especially to needle-sharing on the part of drug addicts in 56% of cases.; considering that on the basis of the indications of the World Health Organization AIDS represents a greater danger for public health than drug abuse itself; considering also the results obtained in other countries in the field of AIDS prophylaxis and the control of drug abuse-related diseases thanks to programs of controlled distribution of clean needles to drug addicts in exchange for dirty ones; given the initiatives that are being adopted in this direction in several municipalities of Italy; given bill n. 162/90, and especially comma 3, which charges the Health Ministry and the Regional g

overnments jointly with the promotion of initiatives aimed at eliminating the phenomenon of needle-sharing among drug addicts, favouring the introduction of disposable self-blocking syringes: in consideration also of the commitment endorsed by the town committee's programmatic document for the battle and the prevention of AIDS; charges the town committee with developing and presenting a pilot scheme to the Council within the limit of 30 days from the passage of the present agenda, aimed at establishing services (with exclusively health purposes) for the controlled distribution of self-blocking disposable syringes to drug addicts through municipal and/or private pharmacies, through mobile units (with the possibility of providing information on AIDS) and automatic needle dispensing units where dirty ones can be disposed of. Signers: Cerina (Antiprohibitionist list), Tortosa (PSI), Marino (PSI), Costi (PSDI), Collura (PRI), Nicolini (PCI), Toniolo Piva (Independent Left), De Petris (Green Party), Di Pietrantoni

o (DC), De Luca (Green Party.

P.S. The agenda was unanimously passed during the hearing of the Town Council of Rome of 17.12.90.

Rome 17.12.90