AURORA | As needle exchange programs grow in Colorado, Aurora police are making it easier for residents to participate without fear of retribution.
At a Jan. 25 regular city council meeting, Aurora City Council members unanimously voted to amend the city’s drug laws to exempt those who are participating in the state’s clean syringe exchange program from arrest for possessing drug paraphernalia.
According to Aurora police, the exemption will make it more likely for people in possession of syringes to report it to law enforcement, and help keep police safer by reducing the likelihood of getting stuck by a needle.
The state’s clean syringe program was approved by the state Legislature six years ago and is designed to reduce the transmission of blood-born diseases through needle-sharing, such as HIV and Hepatitis C. The program also prohibits prosecuting individuals who voluntarily participate in the syringe exchange program.
There are seven needle-exchange programs in the state. Two are located in Denver, two in Boulder, and the others are in Fort Collins, Grand Junction and Longmont.