Dane County has ended an initiative to prevent overdose deaths by giving out pipes.
Four years ago, public health officials started giving people pipes and other supplies to reduce health risks associated with smoking drugs.
The program was part of the department’s broader efforts to reduce harms of drug use. For decades, syringe service programs across the country have provided harm reduction supplies to people who inject drugs. Though controversial, these programs reduce hospitalizations and overdose deaths while increasing participation in drug treatment…