Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a used needle exchange program in Arizona.

Highlights:

• Authorizes municipalities and non-government organizations to create a program that does the following (Sec. 1):

• Dispose of used needles and hypodermic syringes;

• Offer needles, hypodermic syringes, and other injection items for free to ensure the same instruments are not reused;

• Provide educational materials on overdose protection, peer support services, HIV prevention, mental illness, and substance abuse treatment;

• Provide access to kits that contain naloxone hydrochloride or any FDA-approved drug overdose medication; and

• Provide personal consultation services to anyone who requests it.

• Prohibits workers, volunteers, or recipients of a needle exchange program from being charged or prosecuted for possessing any of the following (Sec. 1):

• A needle, hypodermic syringe, or other injection item returned as part of a program; or

• A residual amount of a controlled substance contained in a returned needle, hypodermic syringe, or other injection items.

Full Bill Text