Sean Barry at (646) 373-3344 or Evan Goldstein at (917) 349-6267
Albany — Governor Paterson signed legislation today clarifying that people who participate in a syringe access program can lawfully possess sterile syringes and cannot be arrested or charged with drug possession for residue in used syringes. The bill requires
The new law resolves a conflict between
“Making sure our public health and criminal justice policies are in synch means more people will participate in syringe access programs that are a gateway to better community health,” said Jill Reeves, a leader in VOCAL NY Users Union. “This law will also reduce the ‘us versus them’ mentality in our interactions with police officers when it comes to syringe possession, which will make our communities safer. People shouldn’t be arrested for trying to keep themselves from getting HIV and Hep C.”
The evidence on syringe exchange programs is clear: In
Governor Paterson drafted legislation to reconcile the discrepancy, and Senators Duane and Schneiderman, and Assemblymembers Gottfried and Lentol, introduced and championed the bill.
This new public health approach to drug use comes on the heels of the historic reforms to the Rockefeller Drug Laws that were passed last year. The reforms gave discretion to judges, increased funding for treatment and other alternatives to incarceration, and allowed some people with low-level drug offenses to apply for resentencing.
“We thank Governor Paterson and
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