The Senate Republican Caucus has sent a letter signed by all ten members to the governor requesting he veto Assembly Bill 309 (D-Zbur, Hollywood). The legislation would indefinitely extend the program authorizing hypodermic needles and syringes to be provided over the counter, without a prescription or permit, to any person age 18 or older.

"There is a substance abuse crisis going on in this state and we should be making moves to stop it, not fuel it," stated Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego). "This bill would extend in perpetuity the program allowing California pharmacies to double as drug paraphernalia distribution centers. For those struggling, unchecked access to the tools that facilitate their addiction does not help them but, in fact, exacerbates harm."

Recent research underscores that both "harm reduction" and drug decriminalization policies have worsened the opioid crisis.Even the governor's famously liberal hometown of San Francisco now recognizes the damage these policies cause and is reversing course, shutting down its open-air drug use sites.

"By allowing people to possess syringes without a prescription, AB 309 gives free access to illegal drug use to those already struggling," stated Sen. Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks). "The governor must veto AB 309 and put this state on a path to protect our vulnerable population instead of encouraging harm."

As created, the needle program was intended to combat rising HIV infections and reduce the spread of the Hepatitis C virus. There are now more effective means of addressing these once-fatal diseases, so the program's main purpose now has become enabling drug use.

Click HEREto read the veto letter signed by all ten Republican senators.