Carla Sofronski via ActionNetwork.org via email.actionnetwork.org
Nov 3, 2022, 3:45 PM (22 hours ago)
Contact: Carla Sofronski, Executive Director
Email: Carla@pahrn.org
November 3, 2002
Governor Tom Wolf Signs Legislation to Legalize Fentanyl Test Strips and Other Drug Checking Products to Reduce Overdose Deaths in Pennsylvania
Advocates Cheer Progress on Harm Reduction and Vow to Pass Syringe Services Program Legislation in the Next Legislative Session
Harrisburg, PA. Today, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed legislation to legalize fentanyl test strips and other drug checking products to address the overdose crisis. The legislation, HB1393 (Struzzi, R-Indiana) passed the Pennsylvania House and Senate unanimously on June 20th and October 26th respectively.
Pennsylvania has the 3rd highest rate of overdose deaths in the nation. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the crisis due to social isolation, financial instability and challenges to accessing drug treatment. After two years of successfully reducing overdose deaths, Pennsylvania saw a 14 percent increase in overdose deaths in 2020, with 5,287 Pennsylvanians lost to overdose. Preliminary data for 2021 shows 5,326 overdose deaths in Pennsylvania.
Fentanyl, a powerful opioid many times stronger than morphine, and which is now prevalent in heroin and other unregulated substances, is widely seen as the cause of the increase in overdose deaths. Research has shown that allowing people to test their drugs for fentanyl can reduce the risk of harm or death.
“We need to use every tool in our public health toolbox to save lives and effectively address the overdose crisis in Pennsylvania,” said Carla Sofronski, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Network (PAHRN). “We commend Governor Wolf and members of the House and Senate for this bipartisan effort to protect the health and lives of all Pennsylvanians.”
Advocates across the state have called for increased harm reduction interventions to address the crisis. Legalization of fentanyl testing strips and syringe services programs have been priorities. The passage of the fentanyl test strip legislation is seen as a major first step in expanding harm reduction services in the state. Advocates vowed to return in the new legislative session that begins in January to fight for the passage of legislation allowing for statewide syringe services programs.
“Thirty years of research and experience have shown that syringe services programs save lives, save money and act as a bridge to drug treatment and other social services,” said Sofronski. “While we are disappointed that the syringe services legislation (SB926 and HB2264) did not pass this session, we will return in January when the legislature reconvenes to urge them to take the next common-sense step and legalize statewide syringe services programs.”
ABOUT PAHRN
The Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Network (PAHRN) began as a collaboration between advocates who recognized the urgent need to build a state-wide grassroots organization dedicated to the promotion of harm reduction across Pennsylvania in 2021. We’ve been building relationships and are joining together with people who use drugs and the people who love and care for them, medical and public health professionals, advocates and other community leaders from across PA to save lives and end the harms caused by unjust drug policies.
The PA Harm Reduction Network serves to organize and build power across Pennsylvania to end overdose deaths, drug-use related incarceration, the spread of HIV and HCV, and the many other harms inflicted upon people who use drugs in Pennsylvania and those who love them. PAHRN works for change through collaboration, advocacy, public education, information sharing, and supporting access to harm reduction resources & supplies.
The PA Harm Reduction Network envisions a future where Pennsylvanians who use drugs are treated with dignity and compassion; and our drug policies are built on principles of equity, self-determination, bodily autonomy, and public health
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Carla Sofronski via ActionNetwork.org via email.actionnetwork.org
Nov 3, 2022, 3:48 PM