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Jun 06, 2023

Santa Ana Syringe Exchange On Hold

Topline Why it matters: After receiving approval from state health officials, the nonprofit Harm Reduction Institute was set to begin a program to deliver clean syringes and pick up used ones at

Topline

Why it matters: After receiving approval from state health officials, the nonprofit Harm Reduction Institute was set to begin a program to deliver clean syringes and pick up used ones at homes, tents, RVs and other nontraditional forms of housing for the next two years.

Why now: After City Manager Kristine Ridge and Police Chief David Valentin sent a letter of opposition to the California Department of Public Health, the agency rescinded their approval, changing the nonprofit’s application status to “pending.”

The backstory: According to the CDC, participants in syringe exchange programs are 3.5 times more likely to stop injecting drugs, and five times more likely to enter treatment. They also help people prevent transmitting bloodborne and other infections. But city officials opposed the program because they said past needle exchange programs have resulted in used hypodermic needles and syringes being discarded at public buildings, libraries, sidewalks, residential lawns, parks and waterways. In response, the Harm Reduction Institute had said it would conduct syringe clean-ups and education.

What's next: State health officials have called on the Santa Ana Police Department “to further engage and consult with CDPH on HRI’s application.”