Rural communities is Missouri are especially vulnerable to increases in Hepatitis C and HIV transmission.  The state of Missouri has put together a taskforce to eliminate Hepatitis C but this can only be accomplished if Missouri legislators make changes to existing legislation that criminalizes the possession of syringes as paraphernalia and implements legislation allowing access to and distribution of sterile syringes to people who inject drugs.

Harm reduction experts across the state are championing this cause.  Current research supports the implementation of sterile syringe access as an evidence-based practice to slow and eliminate the transmission of blood borne diseases without increasing drug use.  Additionally, across the globe, organizations that provide access to sterile syringes see a 5 fold increase in the number of clients that enter and maintain recovery.

You have the opportunity to impact a public health crisis and drastically reduce the costs associated with treatment of blood borne diseases in Missouri by implementing this evidence-based practice.