Advocates urge Portland to reconsider needle exchange policy
The city allows clients to receive only the same number of clean needles as the used needles they turn in, unless they qualify for an exemption.
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Portland councilors are expected to begin a public discussion about whether the city should maintain its restrictive policy for providing clean syringes to intravenous drug users during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor Kate Snyder said in an email Tuesday morning that she has requested a “management update” on the city-run Needle Exchange from staff for the March 1 City Council meeting. And the council’s Health and Human Services Committee is expected to hold a workshop in the coming weeks on the exchange’s policy allowing clients to receive only the same number of clean needles as the used needles they turn in, unless they qualify for an exemption.
Portland stands by strict rules for needle exchange despite warnings of higher risk
The city s health and human services director says the program has maintained access to clean syringes without relaxing its exchange rules, but public health experts say the more restrictive approach can put people at risk during the pandemic.
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The city of Portland issued a lengthy defense of its needle exchange program on Friday after advocates criticized officials for maintaining restrictive policies during the coronavirus pandemic.
City officials say there has been no need to drop its policy restricting the number of syringes provided to people enrolled in the program despite guidance from public health experts that it is limiting access to clean needles and putting people at risk of contracting COVID-19.
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The city of Portland issued a lengthy defense of its needle exchange program on Friday after advocates criticized officials for maintaining restrictive policies during the coronavirus pandemic.
City officials say there has been no need to drop its policy restricting the number of syringes provided to people enrolled in the program despite guidance from public health experts that it is limiting access to clean needles and putting people at risk of contracting COVID-19.
The statement issued Friday also expressed concern that some people who had been exchanging needles through the program run out of its India Street Clinic were using them “to facilitate the operation of unsanctioned needle exchange programs, something that is not permitted under the state’s program rules.”
Portland council holds private meeting with attorney over needle exchange rules
The vote to meet behind closed doors was unanimous despite objections by the Press Herald that the council had not provided a sufficient reason.
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The Portland City Council met behind closed doors with its top attorney Wednesday night to discuss its legal rights and duties regarding the city-run Needle Exchange Program that provides clean syringes, overdose reversal drugs and other harm-reduction services to intravenous drug users.
The council’s vote to hold an executive session was unanimous. The Press Herald objected, both in writing before the meeting and verbally during the meeting, because the city’s notice was too vague and lacked sufficient explanation about why it could not be discussed in public.
Leslie Tarr Laurie: A successful public health initiative
Published: 1/5/2021 11:37:06 AM
I was delighted to see the Gazette’s story about the 25th anniversary of one of this area’s most successful public health initiatives, the Northampton Needle Exchange Program. When I was the CEO of Tapestry Health, my team and I planned and implemented this important public health program. I’m pleased it continues to provide lifesaving support to many.
While the Gazette’s article was informative, several not mentioned should be recognized and honored for their contributions in the challenging initiation of the program.
Mayor Mary Ford supported the program from its start. City Councilor Bill Dwight championed the program and understood that HIV/AIDS transmission was a death sentence then. Bill’s passion ensured unanimous City Council support. Police Chief Russell Sienkiewicz courageously did what no other commonwealth police chief would do: publicly endorse the program. The then-Ta