San Diego County sent most of its rent relief money to ineligible cities
A study of COVID-19’s impact on the San Diego regional economy found $4.8 billion in lost wages during the first six months of the pandemic. Author: Cody Dulaney | inewsource Updated: 5:21 PM PST February 2, 2021
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. A $27 million rental assistance program the county Board of Supervisors launched in August was supposed to help 10,000 low-income families impacted by COVID-19 who had nowhere else to turn.
But that’s exactly what happened.
An inewsource analysis of ZIP code data shows roughly three-quarters of the county’s money spent through December went to help residents in San Diego, El Cajon, Chula Vista and La Mesa cities that had rent relief programs and money still to spend.
San Diego County Supervisors overturn ban on needle exchange program
Justin Sullivan
and last updated 2021-01-26 18:45:32-05
SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The county Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted 3-2 in favor of developing a needle exchange program, nullifying a 1997 board decision.
Reversing the county s 23-year-old ban, the program will create a new strategy focusing on harm reduction to prevent overdoses and the spread of infectious diseases, officials said.
Supervisors directed the chief administrative officer to present a comprehensive plan, known as the County Substance Use Harm Reduction Strategy, within 90 days.
Advocates say needle exchange programs reduce both HIV and Hepatitis C transmission.
Supervisors Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond cast the dissenting votes.
Anderson said he wasn t against Fletcher s proposal, but wasn t comfortable voting and then later learning that all the clinics are going to be located in my district. He said he wanted to see a plan first, adding, Is there some middle ground? I hate to vote against this.
Desmond said that giving out needles still has the appearance of promoting drug abuse. I would like to see an emphasis on prevention, he added. I see that needle exchange (would) promote health among those who are using, but I think we re kind of treating the symptom instead of the cause.
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – The county Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted 3-2 in favor of developing a needle exchange program, nullifying a 1997 board decision.
Reversing the county’s 23-year-old ban, the program will create a new strategy focusing on harm reduction to prevent overdoses and the spread of infectious diseases, officials said.
Supervisors directed the chief administrative officer to present a comprehensive plan, known as the County Substance Use Harm Reduction Strategy, within 90 days.
Advocates say needle exchange programs reduce both HIV and Hepatitis C transmission.
Board Chairman Nathan Fletcher said when it comes to changing the policy “the evidence could not be more clear, and the time is now.”