MISAM Supports Essential Harm Reduction Legislation

On October 25th, the Michigan Society of Addiction Medicine (MISAM) sent a letter to the House Committee on Health Policy in support of HB 5178 and HB 5179. Together, these bills would authorize syringe service programs (SSPs) on a statewide basis and exempt drug checking equipment from paraphernalia classification.

In the letter, MISAM noted that expanding SSPs is part of a comprehensive response to the overdose epidemic. While SSPs already legally operate in the state, these programs have not been authorized by state law. As such, SSPs may encounter difficulty obtaining permitting and accessing state materials. As such, MISAM highlighted that the enactment of HB 5178 would enhance the functionality of SSPs and allow them to operate in areas of great need. Additionally, MISAM emphasized the efficacy of drug checking equipment to save lives. HB 5179 would broaden the types of drug checking equipment permitted under state law. In sum, HB 5178 and HB 5179 are evidence-based harm reduction measures that will improve Michigan’s response to the overdose epidemic.

Read the letter here.