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A bill to allow needle-exchange programs for illegal-drug users cleared a state Senate committee Wednesday amid complaints from Republicans that the legislation would subsidize junkies and condone shooting up.
Under current law, local health authorities can collect dirty syringes but can’t pass out clean ones to drug users. Senate Bill 189, sponsored by Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, would create an exception to allow local health authorities to operate needle- exchange programs without fear of prosecution.
Steadman said hepatitis C and HIV are commonly spread through dirty needles.
