Arizona could be on the verge of legalizing needle exchange programs. A bill to do that, among other provisions, has cleared the state Senate and is awaiting debate by the full House.

Many other states have legalized these kinds of programs; a 2019 report from Kaiser Health News found 28 states allowed needle exchange programs.

Supporters, like Haley Coles, say if Arizona follows suit, it’ll have a big impact here.

Coles is executive director of Sonoran Prevention Works, a harm reduction organization which focuses mainly on substance use. The Show spoke with her about how a legalized needle exchange program could impact the state.

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