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First NEP (date unspecified)
the first NEP was established in Amsterdam, the Netherlands by a drug users advocacy group called the Junkie Union -
Debut in U.S.
The first person to distribute drug injection equipment publicly in the US was Jon Parker, in New Haven, CT and Boston, MA. -
The First NEP in U.S.
The first US NEP to provide comprehensive services was established in Tacoma, WA. -
Federal Money Banned
Republican Senator Jesse Helms sponsored a ban on using federal funds for needle exchange programs. -
First Deregulation
Connecticut became the first state to deregulate and allow over-the-counter purchase of syringes at pharmacies. -
Growing
There are at least 37 NEPs operating in 30 US cities. -
Period: to
Clinton's Policy
The Clinton administration agreed that NEPs do not encourage drug use and help stop the spread of HIV yet refused to lift the ban on funding in 1998. -
Period: to
Bush's Policy
The George.W.Bush administration did not discuss NEP and instead emphasized other methods of prevention such as the use of condoms and abstinence-only education. -
Developing
the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that there were nearly 200 NEPs in more than 36 states. -
Obama's Promise
Obama made statement in his campaign in support of needle exchange as a proven means of reducing transmission of AIDS and other diseases among drug users. -
AIDS Prevention Act
the bill of the Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention (CAHP) Act of 2009 introduced -
Ban Continued
Obama decided to continue the federal needle exchange ban in the President’s Budget -
Vote to Lift the Ban
Congress has voted to lift a ban on federal funding of needle exchange programs. -
Ban Lifted
NPR newsthe fiscal year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act lifting the ban on federal funding passed the House by a vote of 221 to 202. -
Proliferating
There are 221 NEPs in 33 states and DC.