The Santa Ana City Council opposes a proposed syringe exchange program

The City of Santa Ana has sent a letter to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) strenuously opposing an application by the Harm Reduction Institute to provide delivery and pick-up of syringes in Santa Ana. Read the City’s letter here.

The City of Santa Ana is deeply concerned about the potential public health and safety impacts this program for drug users could have on our community. Past needle exchange programs have resulted in used hypodermic needles and syringes being left in public areas and not being properly collected or accounted for by the provider.

CDPH is accepting public comments about this proposed syringe program until 11:59 p.m. on May 26, 2023. The public comment form is available here.

Applications Open for Public Comment

Harm Reduction Institute (Santa Ana)

Harm Reduction Institute (HRI) has applied to the California Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS (CDPH/OA) for authorization to add home delivery and pick-up of syringes to their current harm reduction program in Santa Ana, California. HRI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Santa Ana, California and currently offers home visitation to provide overdose prevention and harm reduction services, which includes distribution of naloxone and naloxone training, the provision of FDA-approved personal sharps containers, safer snorting supplies, wound care supplies, fentanyl test strips, and safer sex supplies. HRI also provides case management and treatment navigation services for participants who need medical care as well as social and mental health services, including treatment for substance use disorder.

To reduce the spread of HIV and viral hepatitis, HRI proposes adding the provision of sterile syringes, collection and free disposal of used syringes, supplies for safer injection, and HIV and hepatitis C virus rapid testing. HRI will continue to collect syringes throughout Santa Ana, as part of their on-going services. HRI syringe services will be by home delivery and pick-up, Mondays, and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. within the City of Santa Ana. The program will not offer syringe services from its office location. Participants will be able to contact HRI on a hotline phone number to schedule services and any community member within the city of Santa Ana who observes syringe litter will be able to contact HRI to collect and dispose of syringe litter. This service is available during business hours, Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

As required under California Health and Safety Code Section 121349, this website posting will open a 45-day public comment period. Public comments may be submitted in writing to CDPH until 11:59 p.m., May 26, 2023.

Public comments for this application may be entered through the Harm Reduction Institute – SSP Application – Public Comment Form.

You can read more about the proposal on the CDPH website.