West Virginia gov signs needle exchange program regulations

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice on Thursday signed a bill to introduce more stringent requirements to needle exchange programs that critics say will make it harder to get clean needles amid a spike in HIV cases in the state.

The bill won legislative approval on the final day of the session Saturday.

In urging Justice to reject the bill, the American Civil Liberties Union’s West Virginia chapter had sent the Republican governor a letter Wednesday on behalf of nearly 300 doctors, nurses, recovery coaches, clergy and others who work with people directly affected by injection drug use. The letter said the bill will wipe out exchange programs and result in more lives lost. West Virginia has by far the nation’s highest death rate from drug overdoses.

The bill “is premised on fear and stigma,” the letter said. “West Virginians need leadership grounded in compassion and science.

"This is no less a public health crisis. Many, many, more will die if this cruel legislation is enacted into law."

The bill requires licenses for syringe collection and distribution programs. Operators would have to offer an array of health outreach services, including overdose prevention education and substance abuse treatment program referrals. Participants also must show an identification card to get a syringe.

Supporters said the legislation would help those addicted to opioids get connected to health care services fighting substance abuse. Some Republicans said the changes were necessary because some needle exchange programs were “operating so irresponsibly” that they were causing syringe litter.

One provision would require syringes to be marked with the program passing them out. Another provision would give local governments the authority to bar certain...