Threading the Needle: Threading the Needle: NHs Journey to - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Threading the Needle: Threading the Needle: NH’s Journey to Establish NH’s Journey to Establish Syringe Service Program Law Syringe Service Program Law Lindsay J. Pierce, M.Ed. Chief, Infectious Disease Prevention, Investigation and Care Services Section NASTAD Prevention & Care Technical Assistance Meeting July 21, 2017

NH & The Drug Crisis Syringe Access Live Free or Die Study Commission SB 234 Next steps

Small, rural state 2 nd highest overdose death rate Treatment access challenges Political process led by Citizens Legislature 3 rd largest legislative body in the world (400 members in House) $200/two year term plus daily travel

Since 2001, NH Law RSA 318:52-C Legal purchase of up to 10 syringes at any one time Must be 18 years of age or older Pharmacy participation is optional Pharmacists are not required to participate

HB 1681 (send to study commission) Exempts residual amounts of controlled substances in hypodermic syringes and needles from the provision of the controlled drug act (Decrimalization) Authorizes persons other than pharmacists to dispense hypodermic syringes and needles and allows them to be sold in retail establishments other than pharmacies Authorizes the operation of syringe exchange programs in NH

Summer 2016 Study national standards for best practices for syringe service programs Discuss the feasibility of implementing syringe service programs in NH Identify recommended solutions, both legislative and non-legislative Review any other matter that commission deems relevant to its objective

Final Report HB and SB 234 were introduced during 2017 session Compromise made to adopt the SB DPHS testified, but did not take a position

Exempts residual amounts of controlled substances in hypodermic syringes and needles from the provision of the controlled drug act (Affirmative Defense) Authorizes persons other than pharmacists to dispense hypodermic syringes and needles and allows them to be sold in retail establishments other than pharmacies Authorizes the operation of syringe exchange programs in NH

Next Steps Lessons Learned Created Webpage Role & Goal https://www.dhhs.nh.gov Partnership /dphs/bchs/std/syringe- Compromise service.htm Registration form Data collection tool Development of rules Continued and new partnerships

Members of the Study Commission Krista Morris Elizabeth Daly Marcella Bobinskey

Lindsay J. Pierce, M.Ed. 603-271-4481 Lindsay.pierce@dhhs.nh.gov http://www.dhhs.nh.gov