British law favors heroin addicts over diabetics

In England heroin addicts get free needles and needle disposal. It's probably even a good idea, in fact it may be why Spain's addicts are 10 times more likely to have HIV.

However, when the same pharmacists who are giving red-eyed-itchy-neck Ted a sweet deal, won't dispose Grandma's diabetes needles and she has to arrange for expensive haz-mat pick up. . .Lame.

Do the British want diabetes patients to start swapping needles? I read somewhere that that's a bad thing.

Thank you, Economist