Public Health
Why Santa Ana is Against the Syringe Exchange Program?
Due to concerns about drug use promotion, Santa Ana’s officials have opposed a newly sanctioned syringe exchange program. The state’s Department of Public Health authorizes the program to offer clean syringes for delivery and disposal of used ones in multiple locations, such as tents, private residences, and RVs.
Mayor Valerie Amezcua worries that the program may put the community at risk, most notably children and households. In light of this, there has been noticeable resistance from Santa Ana’s leaders, who believe that the program could worsen the drug epidemic.
Santa Ana leaders voiced apprehensions over the program’s drug use enabling aspect and its probable impact on public health and safety. The program’s supply of syringes to private residences and other locales has the potential to hike drug consumption and unsafe injection practices, posing a risk of infectious disease transmission such as HIV and hepatitis C. Additionally, the program may result in haphazard syringe disposal, which may not only jeopardize public health but also compromise overall community safety.
Santa Ana leaders have heavily debated The syringe exchange program, arguing that it contradicts the community’s values and priorities. According to some, the program has been enforced without enough input or consideration for community worries, spurring notable resistance. Moreover, the lack of transparency in the decision-making process has exacerbated concerns and objections among those against the program. As a result of this lack of transparency, community members have called for a re-evaluation of the program and more community involvement in the decision-making process.
References
1. Santa Ana leaders oppose new needle exchange program …. (n.d.) Retrieved August 16, 2023, from abc7.com
Originally published at https://www.newsbreak.com.
