FAIRMONT, W.Va. — When Senate Bill 334 — the state legislative measure adding further regulations to harm reduction programs — takes effect in July, it could have serious consequences for local harm reduction efforts.
Marion County Health Officer Lloyd White is warning when the legislation goes into place July 9, it could mean the end of the county’s efforts to provide treatment options related to drug and substance misuse.
“We’ll continue to operate our program until such time the law takes effect,” he told MetroNews affiliate WAJR-AM on Monday. “At that point in time — the day the law takes effect — we will pause our program until we can analyze if we want to continue or if we can continue.”
The new law will require participants to provide a form of identification to enroll in programs, a one-to-one needle exchange, medical professionals at exchange efforts, and licensure from local elected officials. It also allows the state Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification to assess higher penalties for violations.
According to White, the Marion County program is funded by an $80,000 grant, and 93% of the money goes toward supplies. The Marion County program has an 80% needle exchange rate and provides opportunities for people to seek treatment.
“I think an overall harm reduction program should be all-encompassing. We should tout the results of those programs and the fact it does save lives and truly get people off drugs,” he said.
“The penalties really concern me. From $500 to $10,000, that’s a pretty stiff penalty,” White added. “We’ll re-evaluate, but at this point in time, if I had to make a decision right now about the future of our program, we certainly can’t continue it.”
White notes managing the new requirements would be problematic for county staff and challenging for people seeking assistance through the harm reduction program.
“A lot of folks don’t have IDs. They’re transient,” he said. “Having clinicians on-site to offer services could very well be challenging. Tracking the syringe one-to-one could be challenging.”
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 334 last Thursday, arguing the legislation balances medical research and public concerns.
“It prevents the problems that we were having with needles all over the place that could cause all kinds of different problems in communities.,” he said April 10. “But it still aids in helping those folks that we need to try to reach out and keep them safe too.”
Health leaders urged Justice to veto the bill, arguing the additional regulations would hinder efforts to provide treatment options and cause a spread of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C.