ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

HB 2608: overdose; disease prevention; programs

Sponsor: Representative Rivero, LD 21

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Allows for the establishment of an overdose and disease prevention program and outlines the objectives, offerings and standards of such a program. Provides immunity for possession by a program employee, volunteer or participant of a needle or syringe obtained through the program.

History

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), syringe service programs, also known as needle exchange programs, are disease prevention programs that can provide linkage to substance use disorder treatment, access to sterile injection equipment and proper disposal for injection equipment. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the CDC have published guidelines for the implementation of such programs.

Provisions

1. Allows a city, town, county or nongovernmental organization to establish and operate an overdose and disease prevention program. (Sec. 1)

2. Outlines the objectives of an overdose and disease prevention program as follows:

a) To reduce the spread of bloodborne diseases;

b) To reduce needle-stick injuries to law enforcement and emergency personnel;

c) To encourage individuals who inject drugs to enroll in evidence-based treatment;

d) To increase proper disposal of used syringes; and

e) To reduce wounds and infections related to injection drug use. (Sec. 1)

3. Specifies that an overdose and disease prevention program must offer all of the following:

a) Disposal of used needles and syringes;

b) Injection supply items at no cost and in quantities sufficient to ensure that they are not shared or reused;

c) Educational materials on overdose prevention, peer support services, disease prevention and treatment for mental illness and substance abuse disorder;

d) Access to kits that contain an opioid antagonist approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; and

e) Personal consultations on mental health or substance use disorder treatment or referrals for such treatment. (Sec. 1)

4. Requires programs to establish standards for distribution and disposal of needles and syringes and requires that the number of needles and syringes disposed of must be at least equal to the number distributed. (Sec. 1)

5. Provides immunity for possession of an injection supply item or residual amount of a controlled substance contained in an injection supply item obtained from an overdose and disease prevention program by an employee, volunteer or participant of the program. (Sec. 1)

6. Specifies that a person claiming immunity must provide verification that the injection supply item was obtained from an overdose and disease prevention program. (Sec. 1)

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