Network Report Thursday, November 21, 2019 
Individuals and communities across the nation are struggling with an epidemic of drug-related harm, and although government agencies and care providers have made great strides in reducing this harm, they are often hindered by laws and policies that reflect outdated approaches to drugs and individuals who use them. The Network’s Harm Reduction Legal Project addresses the legal and policy barriers that hamper the establishment and expansion of evidence-based drug harm reduction measures. Learn more.
Law and Policy Perspectives Federal Restrictions on Funding for Syringe Services Programs Syringe service programs (SSP) are places where people who inject drugs (PWID) can receive new syringes and other injection equipment and drop off used supplies. They typically also provide other harm reduction and health promotion services including referrals to treatment, hepatitis C and HIV testing, the overdose reversal medication naloxone, and other related services. Nevertheless, SSPs are controversial due to stigma around PWID and many states prohibit the use of state funds for the operation of SSPs. Public Health Law News Round-Up – Fall 2019 Public health law and policy stories that made headlines recently include expanding Medicaid access post-postpartum to improve maternal mortality rates; how changes in naloxone access laws could save thousands of lives; Juul’s suspension of flavored e-cigarette product sales amid growing scrutiny of its advertising practices; how proposed food-stamp cutbacks could worsen obesity and food insecurity in the U.S.; and a landmark ruling on supervised injection sites.
Resources Judicial Trends in Public Health The Network’s monthly reporter, Judicial Trends in Public Health (JTPH), highlights select published cases from the last three months in public health law and policy. Our first edition covers decisions related to a safe injection site in Pennsylvania, the public charge rule in California, vaccination exemptions in New York, and the ACA’s requirement to provide birth control without cost sharing, and more.
Webinars Visit the Network’s YouTube channel where you’ll find recordings of Network webinars on a wide range of critical public health policy issues including access to health care, health equity, school nutrition, vaccination requirements, drug harm reduction, cross sector data sharing and the health impacts of climate change.
2020 Public Health Law Conference Early Bird Registration Discount Register by February 2, 2020 to receive a $100 discount off full registration for the 2020 Public Health Law Conference, September 15 – 18, in Baltimore, Maryland. Join hundreds of public health colleagues to learn how the strategic use of legal and policy tools can address fundamental drivers of inequity, promote health and well-being, and save lives. On the registration form, click on “Enter promo code” at the top and enter EARLYBIRD2020 to receive the discount. 
The Network is pleased to offer a complimentary tour by Larry Gibson, distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and acclaimed oral historian to the first 30 registrants for the 2020 Public Health Law Conference. Armed with a wealth of knowledge, Mr. Gibson will take tour participants to locations around the city that featured prominently in laws that significantly impacted the civil rights movement.
Worth Sharing State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs: The Rise and Fall in Heroin Fatalities A new study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy found a consistent association between the adoption of state Prescription Drug Monitoring programs (PDMP) and death rates from heroin poisoning. However, the research showed that rates vary by program type. Corey Davis, Director of the Network’s Harm Reduction Legal Project, co-authored this study. The Policy Surveillance Program’s 2020 Summer Institute will teach policy surveillance methods during a two-day intensive training at Temple University in Philadelphia, June 1 -2. Policy surveillance tracks public health laws and policies over time and across jurisdictions, using a rigorous scientific process to create data for evaluation and empirical research.
Jill Krueger, Director, Northern Region Office
Areas of expertise: › Mental health and well-being
Thank you! Your interest in the work of the Network is important. Together, we can advance law as a tool to improve public health. Please forward the Network Report and encourage others to join the Network! The Network for Public Health Law provides information and technical assistance on issues related to public health. The legal information and assistance provided in this document does not constitute legal advice or legal representation. For legal advice, readers should consult a lawyer in their state.
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