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.”