Today we received great news in the battle for needle exchange programs. The federal funding ban on syringe exchange programs was lifted in the appropriations bill AND does not have the crazy restrictions we saw in the House version.

*Note-the bill still needs to be voted on, but at least we have good language for a vote! This vote should happen before the end of the year.

Previously, there was a federal funding ban on syringe exchange programs even though these programs have been proven as an effective HIV prevention tool for injection drug users (and organizations that run these programs are also great at getting IDUs into treatment programs!).  In the Senate version of this bill, the ban continued.  In the House version there was crazy language which stated syringe exchange programs could not operate within 1000 feet from spaces like parks, youth centers and schools.  This policy that would have been detrimental in many communities, especially those located urban areas and where needle exchange programs already exist. 

Instead the new law would permit needle exchange programs except in locations "that local public health or law enforcement agencies determine to be inappropriate."  Not too bad. Sounds like local control, right?  Normally a principle argued for by Republicans...unless you are a Republican. According to CQ:

Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., said he was disappointed that some effort wasn’t made to accommodate concerns underlying the 1,000-foot restriction about children getting too close to illegal drug use and used needles.

“I’m sorry to see it be just completely vaporized,” Kingston said.