We share in the community concern about syringe litter. Programs such HRCSCC and the county syringe program are the primary way we reduce reduce litter through education, access to syringe disposal, syringe kiosk and sharps container availability and direct outreach.

Syringe exchange programs have been rigorously studied since they were first introduced in the mid-1980s. Syringe exchange is an international method of reducing the impacts of drug use, thus reducing the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C and reducing syringe litter also. It is vital we address the issue of syringe litter without further stigmatizing people who use drugs. We support Changing the Narrative. You will find “Tired Narratives of Drug Policy,” which addresses the narrative around syringe litter.

We turn to the data in times of questions. We hear the concern about syringe litter. We want less litter of all types in the community, syringe litter included. To mitigate the impacts of drug use we conduct a minimum of four syringe sweeps per month, as required by the state of California Department of Public Health. If you find a syringe we have a reporting email and we will come remove syringe litter. (SantaCruzSyringeLitter@gmail.com)

Here are six scientific studies plus our own Santa Cruz County 2019 Syringe Access and Disposal study.

1. A comparison of syringe disposal practices among injection drug users in a city with versus a city without a needle and syringe program

2. A comparison of syringe disposal practices among injection drug users in a city with versus a city without a needle and syringe program

3. Higher syringe coverage is associated with lower odds of HIV risk and does not increase unsafe syringe disposal among syringe exchange program clients

4. Safe Syringe Disposal is Related to Safe Syringe Access among HIV-positive Injection Drug Users

5. Syringe disposal among people who inject drugs before and after the implementation of a syringe services program

6. Syringe disposal among people who inject drugs in Los Angeles: The role of sterile syringe source

7. Santa Cruz County Syringe litter and disposal summary 2019