In a major change to the country's drug policy, the United States Congress has reversed a ban on federal funding of needle exchange that was first enacted 21 years ago.

The legislation change was signed by President Barack Obama on December 17, 2009 and will allow funding of needle exchange programs domestically, as well as internationally through United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the world's largest single source of HIV/AIDS‐related funding.

Starting in 2010, USAID and PEPFAR are expected to fund needle exchange internationally as part of programs aimed at comprehensive HIV prevention among injecting drug users. Such funding could bring new money for HIV prevention programs to Eastern European and Central Asian countries where USAID is active.

For more information please read EHRN press release.

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