October 28, 2010

No “Medical Necessity” Defense for Needle-Exchange Activists

Two activists from Modesto, California, face misdemeanor charges for possessing drug paraphernalia while running an unofficial needle-exchange program in a local park, The Sacramento Bee reports. A judge ruled that Kristy Tribuzio and Brian Robinson, nicknamed the “Mono Park Two,” are not allowed to use a “medical necessity” defense at their trial in March 2011. If convicted, they each could spend up to a year in prison. In September 2008, a proposal to legalize needle exchange in the county was not enacted despite recommendations from health officials and a growing amount of HIV and hepatitis C cases among local injection drug users.

To read the Sacramento Bee article, click here.

Search: medical necessity, needle exchange, Mono Park Two, Modesto, Kristy Tribuzio, Brian Robinson

Scroll down to comment on this story.