“BIG Support!” Michigan Group Advocates For City Scrutiny Of Substance Abuse Program Laws

DETROIT – A local group is urging municipalities around Michigan to reconsider outdated legislation that may prohibit some programs for the treatment of substance abuse disorders.

The organization Face Addiction Now (FAN), formerly known as Families Against Narcotics, reports that drug paraphernalia laws in several localities prohibit the sharing of clean syringes.

“Yes, it is a problem. According to Linda Davis, executive director of Face Addiction Now, “It really prohibits a lot of harm reduction devices like clean syringes, harm reduction devices that are available to people that are using drugs.”

Former Macomb County judge Davis said that it can be difficult to ensure that individuals in need are receiving sterilized syringes and drug testing kits in such communities by giving them the required resources.

According to Davis, the provision of sterilized syringes also averts other public health problems.

“We want to make sure they get the supplies that prevent a crisis with hepatitis, HIV, and even simple things like officers being stuck by dirty needles,” Davis stated.

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According to Davis, her request is not for local governments to repeal the law, but rather to make the required adjustments so that her volunteer-run organization can offer the assistance required to deal with the aforementioned problems.

“And when we meet with them, and they don’t have that amendment telling them to do away with paraphernalia laws, we’re just asking them to make an exception for people that are working with a bona fide SSP to make sure that they are getting safe your supply,” Davis explained.

Additionally, it can be challenging to understand every law that is in effect, city by city.

According to Davis, “every community has a different law.”

Davis wants to be clear that harm reduction initiatives offer many more advantages, such as the safe disposal of syringes, rather than encouraging drug use.

“The reason they dispose of them is because in many communities it is illegal to have syringes on you, and so we create a situation where we’re creating harm to the public,” Davis explained.

Going forward, Davis is urging municipal authorities to review their drug paraphernalia regulations so that nonprofits such as hers can assist the underprivileged.

“We’re not telling them to do away with paraphernalia laws, we’re just asking them to make an exception for people working with a bonafide SSP to make sure that they are getting safe use supplies.”