In a perfect world there is no pain, illness or death and everyone lives happily ever after.

However, anyone old enough to read this column knows that perfect worlds are a creation of Walt Disney.

The real world encompasses a number of misfortunes, including hunger, poverty, depression, drug abuse and AIDS.

For the latter, a discussion is on the horizon. But first, thank the divine one for giving people the capacity for love and compassion, as well as the analytical skills to solve problems in this imperfect world.

Preventing disease is a humanitarian duty, and with 40,000 new HIV infections per year in the U.S. alone, people need to work hard to stop this disease from spreading.

According to AIDS Action, an advocacy group dedicated to responsible federal policy on AIDS, an estimated 3,269 people were living with HIV or AIDS in Sacramento in 2003. That number doesn’t include those who have died.

Statistics are important because they paint numerical visuals for the community. According to a UC Davis study conducted by David Gibson, associate professor of infectious diseases, current injection drug use accounts for nearly one-third of new AIDS cases in the country, and when drug users’ sexual partners are included, injection drug use accounts for up to three-quarters of new HIV infections.

Injection drug use is the primary way HIV is spread among the heterosexual community. Since it is highly unlikely that one’s potential mate will present a full disclosure of his or her sexual history, which branches off indefinitely into times of yore, strategies for preventing HIV infection should be of utmost concern to everyone.

Existing California law authorizes pharmacists, physicians and public agents to furnish hypodermic needles to participants in clean needle and syringe exchange programs.

Despite criticism by some law enforcement agencies that the programs promote drug use, studies have shown that needle exchange programs, legal in California for five years, do not increase the number of injection drug users.

In his report, Gibson said that while programs to control the spread of HIV by providing clean needles to drug users remain controversial in California and across the U.S., his study demonstrates that syringe exchange programs save lives. They also save society millions of dollars in health care costs required to treat HIV patients.

The problem is that existing law requires health officials to declare a public health crisis in order to continue operating needle exchange programs.This prerequisite places an unreasonable burden on health officials.

Assemblywoman Patty Berg introduced a bill on Feb. 16 that would amend the existing law, making it easier for public health agencies to continue their humanitarian efforts.

“Right now counties have to declare an emergency every two weeks, and it just adds an unnecessary burden and discourages other counties from offering programs,” said Will Shuck, Berg’s press secretary. “We know of a number of cities who would consider instituting these programs if this bill becomes law.”According to Berg, there’s no good reason to require a health emergency declaration every two weeks.

“AIDS doesn’t go away every two weeks. Starting and stopping these programs is like poking holes in a bullet-proof vest.”

Berg introduced a similar bill last year, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed it.

“Some police groups don’t like the needle exchange programs and they got the governor’s ear last year, but we’re going to get his ear this year,” Shuck said. “This is a life saving measure.”

Who can argue with that?

Placing an extreme burden on those who attempt to make the world a safer place is a form of suicide.

Responsible life saving decisions will become easier to make when people accept reality as it is. Life isn’t perfect.

Carrie Espiritu can be reached at [email protected]