New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed a bill into law Friday which would create a needle exchange program in the state.
He released a statement afterwards saying:
“The drug crisis is the most serious public health and safety issue facing New Hampshire and it remains critical that we continue supporting investments and resources in law enforcement, but also in prevention, treatment and recovery programs, which is why I am proud to sign SB 234 into law today, establishing a statewide needle exchange program. There is no doubt that this bill will save lives.”
Senator James Gray, the bill’s prime sponsor, also released a statement:
“Many substance abuse users are contracting blood-borne, preventable diseases as a result of used needles. Identifying this as a significant public health concern, we worked with stakeholders to look at the best way for our state to establish a needle exchange program in New Hampshire through this legislation.”
“The program we’ve developed will offer some legal protections for those using illicit substances to dispose of syringes with trace amounts of drugs and obtain clean syringes while also ensuring that substance users have access and are provided with the guidance they need to enter treatment and recovery programs in the state.”
“I am pleased that Governor Sununu has signed this bill into law today, allowing our state to strike the appropriate balance needed to establish a productive needle exchange program for disease prevention and substance abuse treatment.”
