Syringe Exchanges-Trump Order
Joshua Gay, a former participant in the Clark County Health Department's syringe exchange program who is now in recovery from substance use disorder, poses for a portrait in front of his church Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Austin, Ind.
As featured on
Decades of research show syringe programs are extremely effective at preventing infectious disease among intravenous drug users and referring them to treatment. But a July executed order from President Donald Trump’ says federal substance abuse grants can't pay for supplies it says “only facilitate illegal drug use,” such as cookers and tourniquets. Needles already couldn’t be purchased with federal money. In some places, the order is galvanizing support for syringe exchanges. In others, like Indiana, it’s fueling opposition that threatens their existence. But health workers in one Indiana community are doing what they can to keep their program going.
