House Panel Approves Miami-Dade Needle Exchange Pilot Program
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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - House members began moving forward Wednesday with a renewed effort to approve a pilot needle-exchange program in Miami-Dade County.
The House Health Quality Subcommittee voted 10-2 to approve a bill which would allow the University of Miami to establish a program that would offer clean needles and syringes to intravenous drug users in exchange for used needles and syringes.
Supporters said the program would help reduce the transmission of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. Sponsor Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, said the House approved a Miami-Dade pilot program last year but that the proposal died at the end of the legislative session.
Rep. Kristin Jacobs, D-Coconut Creek, said the exchange program also could help prevent used needles from being discarded in places such as parks, where children can find them.
Edwards said the program, which would expire in 2020, would not receive state funding.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, questioned whether county money could go to the program. Gaetz and Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, cast the dissenting votes.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
