NY officials OK clean needle exchange for addicts

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Life Extension –

November 29, 2019 – Under the new rules, which quietly went into effect on Nov. 12, more facilities — such as LGBTQ centers, local government health departments and sexually transmitted disease clinics — can apply to offer the service.

“By providing additional access to sterile syringes in settings in which opioid overdoses can be minimized, this regulation will reduce the number of opioid overdoses and deaths,” the State Health department said in a statement supporting the regulation. “[It will] improve the health of individuals who inject drugs, and their communities.” … But the new regulations make no mention of how officials plan to keep drug addicts from congregating near the sites — and are likely to draw the ire of neighbors who fear their backyards will become the next “Needle Park.”

The state Health Department will foot the bill to provide the new sites with syringes, containers to dispose of dirty needles and syringes, alcohol pads and non-latex gloves for an estimated cost of $250,000. In its statement of support for the program, health officials cited the opioid epidemic as reason to increase the number of facilities.