Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law May 24 a bill to legalize needle exchange programs for Arizonans struggling with drug addiction.
Advocates of the bill say it will pave the way for substance abuse services to connect with people in need of health services as well as mitigate the public health risks associated with IV drug abuse.
Prior to this law, needle exchanges took place in Arizona, but always in a legal grey area. This law removes any liabilities addiction treatment and outreach organizations may expose themselves to by exchanging clean needles for dirty ones.
Arizona is one of the last states in the nation to pass such a law.
Back in March, The Show spoke with Haley Coles about this. She’s the executive director of Sonoran Prevention Works, a nonprofit that addresses the public health implications of substance abuse.
At the time, she said it was even more important to pass this kind of legislation now, as we’re seeing more heroin overdoses during the pandemic.
The Show spoke with her again to talk about the merits of the new law.
