A bill from Nebraska State Senator Megan Hunt that would provide drug users with sterile needles to help get them get clean and prevent the spread of infectious diseases advanced to a second round of debate on Friday.
“LB 307 would allow local jurisdictions to authorize public behavioral health programs to distribute hypodermic needles or sterile syringes to reduce the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C.” She says Syringe Service Programs are growing in popularity and encourage treatment of drug addiction.
Speaker of the Legislature John Arch says he supports the bill after being provided with research data by Hunt. “People who come in for clean needles are five times more likely to enter drug treatment,” Arch says. “Entering of drug treatment and treatment care for wounds is a big benefit to the individual and a big benefit to society as well.”
Hunt says this bill would benefit rural areas of Nebraska where HIV rates are worse and protect first responders and law enforcement from needle stick injuries. The Syringe Services Program would allow local governments, including city councils, to provide sterile syringes and needles and safely dispose of used ones.
Her bill advanced to the second round of debate on a 37-2 vote.