More syringe services means more syringe litter.

 We are committed to removing used syringes from the community. It is the first question we ask when we meet a participant. We know that the most effective way of removing syringes in every community is a strong syringe services program and we are proud to be providing this service. There is ample data that proves that syringe litter exists in communities without a program. There is no data that proves that syringe programs are responsible for syringe litter. See footnotes 14-19 on this fact sheet for the most relevant studies on the subject.

Substance use, lack of housing and shelter, lack of a safe place to use drugs, fear of law enforcement, and lack of disposal receptacles such as kiosks and sharps containers all contribute to syringe litter.

HRC of SCC is a “free needle giveaway.”

The Harm Reduction Coalition of Santa Cruz County operates as a needle exchange according to guidelines and best practices determined by the California Department of Public Health. We remove thousands of used syringes from the community every week. We distribute thousands of sharps containers and educate people on proper storage. Data reflects that a ‘needs based’ distribution policy is safest for the individual and the community, and that needs based distribution does not result in more syringe litter. Restrictive programs are attributed to syringe reuse which is related to injury and infections that can be life threatening. We encourage people to take the syringes that they need until they can return to see us or the county syringe services program.

Only nurses and trained medical staff should be engaging with people who use drugs and offering syringe services.

Syringe services should be low barrier and often, nurses or medical staff can be seen as a barrier for a participant. The county syringe program also utilizes volunteers to directly serve clients, just as we do. Peers and volunteers, many with a history of lived experience are of tremendous value and offer comfort and ease in building rapport and trust both of which are vital in meeting an individual where they are, literally. Peer-run syringe service programs are a model that works around the world. For further reading, see this toolkit and these two studies, 1 and 2.

HRC of SCC does not refer people to services.

We have a long list of adjunct services that we refer people to upon request as required by the California Department of Public Health. We offer a warm hand off and can connect people to nurses at Encompass, Homeless Persons Health Project (HPHP) and the County Clinics, hospital ER.

Some of those services are: HIV and Hep C testing, Medication Assisted Treatment navigation, and Integrated Behavioral Health groups. We have also made referrals and the individual has the right to decline, which is sometimes the case.  We offer another contact to people in the community who use drugs, but sometimes we are the only contact.

HRC of SCC does not collect data.

 We do collect data, and in fact the California Department of Public Health requires we collect data. However, excessive data collection is NOT best practices. We are required to report to the County Health Services Director on a bi annual basis. We work closely with representatives at the California Department of Public Health and the Office of AIDS.

There is no local oversight.

 We work well with the county Health Services Agency. We meet regularly and often and are present at the Advisory group meetings. We are required every two years to report to the Health Services Agency. We have a long collaborative relationship with the Safe Rx Santa Cruz County and Community Prevention Partners.  HRC of SCC has met with community groups [such as ?] . If you would like us to come meet with your community group please let us know via email at HRCofSCC@gmail.com

HRC of SCC undermines the county syringe program.

 Our program supports and complements the county SSP. There are inherent limitations of the two fixed locations offered by the Health Services Agency. HRC of SCC works closely with the staff and director of the county Syringe Program. We understand that for a multitude of reasons the County Syringe Program cannot meet all the needs of every person in the county that uses drugs. Syringe service programs exist to provide safe injection supplies with no expectation, no requirement of other services, unless the individual determines there is a need.