Assigned to GOV FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to GOV FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
syringe access programs; authorization
Purpose
Allows a city, town, county (local government) or specified organization to establish and operate a program for needle and hypodermic syringe exchange and outlines objectives and services to be offered.
Background
Needle and hypodermic syringe exchange programs (Programs) are community-based programs that provide access to sterile needles and hypodermic syringes free of cost and facilitate safe disposal of used needles and syringes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Programs are components of a comprehensive, integrated approach to HIV prevention among people who inject drugs. Most Programs offer education on safer injection practices and wound care, overdose prevention, referral to substance use disorder treatment programs including medication-assisted treatment, as well as counseling and testing for HIV and hepatitis C. Many provide referrals to critical services and programs, such as HIV care, treatment, hepatitis C treatment, hepatitis A and B vaccinations, and other medical, social, and mental health services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Naloxone is a medication designed to reverse an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist, and binds to opioid receptors to reverse and block the effects of other opioids. It can very quickly restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped as a result of overdosing with heroin or prescription opioid pain medications (National Institute on Drug Abuse).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows local governments or specified organizations to establish and operate Programs.
2. Stipulates Program objectives must be:
a) to reduce the spread of viral hepatitis and other bloodborne diseases in this state;
b) to reduce needle-stick injuries to law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel;
c) to encourage individuals who inject drugs to enroll in evidence-based treatment; and
d) to reduce used needles and hypodermic syringes that are disposed of in public places in the community.
3. Requires a Program to offer the following:
a) disposal of used needles and hypodermic syringes;
b) needles, hypodermic syringes and other injection supplies at no cost and in sufficient quantities to ensure that they are not shared or reused;
c) educational materials on all the following topics:
i. overdose prevention;
ii. HIV, AIDS and viral hepatitis prevention;
iii. drug abuse prevention;
iv. treatment for mental illness and referrals; and
v. treatment for substance abuse and referrals.
d) access to kits containing naloxone hydrochloride or any other FDA approved opioid antagonist for the treatment of a drug overdose, or referrals to programs that provide access to naloxone hydrochloride or any other FDA approved opioid antagonist for the treatment of a drug overdose; and
e) personal consultations from a program employee or volunteer concerning mental health or addiction treatment to those requesting services, as appropriate.
4. Requires a Program to develop standards for the exchange of needles and hypodermic syringes based on scientific evidence and best practices.
5. Stipulates the number of needles and hypodermic syringes provided by a Program be equivalent to the number of returned needles and hypodermic syringes.
6. Exempts a Program employee, volunteer or participant from being charged with or prosecuted for possession of:
a) a needle, hypodermic syringe or other injection supply item obtained from or returned to a Program, only if there is written verification that the outlined items were obtained from a Program; or
b) a residual amount of a controlled substance contained in a used needle, hypodermic syringe or injection supply item obtained from or returned to a Program, only if there is written verification that the outlined items were obtained from a Program.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action:
HEALTH 2/15/2018 DPA 8-1-0-0
3rd Read 2/22/2018 56-0-4
Prepared by Senate Research
March 5, 2018
JO/MG/lat