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Arizona Needle Exchange Program Faces Funding Shortage
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Will Stone/KJZZ
A band of volunteers run Phoenix’s underground needle exchange, called Shot In The Dark.
A funding shortage is limiting the ability of the organization, Shot in the Dark, to continue its needle exchange and syringe service programs in Arizona.
Advocates say that could lead to increases in addiction and cause HIV and Hepatitis C outbreaks. During the 2019 session, lawmakers considered legislation that may have made a difference, but a bill didn’t advance.
To talk about needle exchange efforts and what could be next, The Show spoke with Haley Coles, founder and executive director of Sonoran Prevention Works — a group that, among other things, runs statewide overdose education and naloxone distribution program.
