On June 27, 2019, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law the Infectious Disease Elimination Act (IDEA) that allows county commissions to authorize sterile needle and syringe exchange programs for people who inject drugs. Disease prevention must be the goal of every exchange program.

For the last 10 years, the steady increase of opioid misuse and addiction has added to the rising rate of injection drug use in the U.S. Sharing needles, syringes or other drug injection equipment puts people at risk for getting or transmitting infections. Studies show that exchange programs significantly reduce overdose-related deaths and prevent diseases like HIV and hepatitis B and C—they also reduce the risks of community outbreaks. There are currently more than 200 programs in 34 states. They have helped many people and communities.

Syringe exchange programs in Florida cannot use state, county or municipal funds to operate. The law requires that exchange programs be funded through grants and donations from private resources and funds.

The personal identifying information of people participating in a syringe exchange program can not be collected or used for any purpose.