HB 1438 – Syringe Exchange Programs

Rep. Kirchhofer (a href=”tel:1-800-382-9841″>1-800-382-9841) has introduced HB 1438 which would make syringe exchange programs somewhat easier to implement by local government. Currently after a local health official declares a health emergency that would be helped by a needle exchange program, the County executive or legislative body of a municipality holds a public hearing and, if appropriate, adopts the declaration. The local government body must then notify the Indiana State Department of Health, describe other efforts to address the emergency that have been tried and failed, and seek approval of the ISDH.

As I read this legislation, approval of the ISDH would no longer be necessary, and it would not be necessary to detail efforts other than needle exchange that have been tried and failed. (It’s also my understanding that the health emergencies in this situation are typically going to be an increase in cases of HIV and/or Hepatitis C.) The bill also requires that the needle exchange program stock overdose intervention drugs (Naloxone and Evzio) which, the fiscal note indicates, cost $42 and $501 per claim, respectively.

The State has been resistant to needle exchange programs. The HIV crisis in Scott County started the ball rolling to make the programs possible. They certainly have their challenges. Nobody wants one in their back yard. It’s probably not unrealistic to fear that crime in the area where the needles are exchanged might increase. But, ultimately, we probably can’t jail our way out of addiction problems; and a few needles are a lot cheaper than a new liver.