Last session, Republican State Senator Bob Deuell pushed a progressive needle exchange program in the Senate, despite opposing the idea just two sessions prior. He said his education on the subject changed his mind. He now thinks needle exchange could go a long way in preventing the spread of disease. The statewide program did not make it into law. But a pilot program in San Antonio was okayed somewhere in the massive Medicaid bill.

The Attorney General was asked to weigh in on questions about the pilot program in Bexar County. His ruling today essentially says the program can't be rolled out.

The opinion okays the pilot program to proceed WITHOUT the needle-and-syringe exchange component, even though it was authorized in legislation. But, the opinion continued, if the county proceeds with the safe needle exchange program, participants in the program "would appear to be subject to prosecution."

The law was scheduled to take effect September 1, 2007, but public implementation was put on hold after District Attorney Susan Reed raised objections in August, saying that it would be illegal to conduct such a program because, in her opinion, the law was defective. That sparked State Senator Jeff Wentworth's request for an AG opinion.

San Antonio State Rep Ruth Jones McClendon says the first bill she files next session will be a needle exchange program. She'll likely have the support of Deuell, in the Senate.

1 Comments

bal said:

Nice to meet you.
I had a look at blog.
Please link to this site.
http://exchange00.seesaa.net/

May 19, 2008 4:32 AM

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