The Arizona House has approved a measure that would legalize needle exchange programs as part of an effort to cut down on diseases and overdoses among illicit drug users.
The measure by Republican Representative Tony Rivero was approved by a 50-10 vote Wednesday and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Rivero has pushed for a law legalizing needle exchange programs for the past three years but never managed to get both the House and Senate to sign off on his proposals. This year's effort has been slightly recast to put more of a focus on overdose prevention and efforts to get people into treatment.
