In january 1990, Jon Parker of the AIDS Brigade became the first person in the United States to be acquitted of possessing and distributing needles for the purpose of AIDS prevention,

Togheter with mr. Purchase, responsible of the Tacoma needle exchange programme, in nobember 1990 he won the 100,000 $ Dennis AWARD, an award normally assigned to people particularly activ in social field.

Other 9 activists from the Aids Brigade and ACT UP/NY were arrested in New York city in march of 1990. Their motion to dismiss in the interest of justice was denied by Criminal Court Judge Barbara Newman on October 2. A trial date of november 15 was set and has now been postponed to a new date. Four members of ACT UP/NY also face criminal charges in jersey City, New Jersey.

Individuals have been charged in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Miami, Florida, as well.

AIDS ACTIVISTS CONTINUE TO EXCHANGE NEEDLES AT FIVE UNDISCLOSED SITES IN NEW YORK CITY.

Despite New York's needles possession law, ACT UP/NY currently operates five successful needle exchange sites in three of New York City's boroughs. ACT UP/ny exchanges thousands of needles a week with IV drug users in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan. It also distributes alcohol swabs, bleach kits for cleaning needles and condoms.