North County united against free needles

Supervisor Jim Desmond

5th District

A few weeks ago, I talked about how the County of San Diego is pursuing a harm reduction program through the California Department of Public Health, including syringe services and safer smoking supplies. This potential program involves, in part, the distribution of free needles and various other drug paraphernalia. We believe this is not a solution to homelessness and are united in North County.

Below is a letter we sent the State of California rejecting this program. I want to thank Escondido Mayor Dane White, San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones, Vista Mayor John Franklin, Oceanside Deputy Mayor Ryan Keim and Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn for joining me in this fight.

We are writing to express our opposition to current and proposed needle exchange and drug paraphernalia distribution programs, including safe smoking devices, in North San Diego County. While we understand and appreciate the attempt to help our vulnerable populations, needle exchange and associated programs are detrimental to neighborhoods and communities, and we are united against the implementation of these programs in North County.

The County of San Diego has recently made it clear that it intends to distribute thousands of needles using state-funds under the guise of a “Harm Reduction” program. The only thing these programs do is further harm our communities stricken with substance-abuse disorders. This program admits outright not all needles distributed will be collected. Needles are already commonly found in our parks, beaches, waterways, canyons and sidewalks. Within one year, as many as 500,000 needles could be distributed in our region, without any mechanism in place to compel users into treatment. By giving out needles and drug paraphernalia, we are enabling and implicitly condoning illegal drug-use without accountability or requirement for treatment.

“Harm reduction” is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of methods aimed at helping those struggling with addiction get access to services, education and resources. We want to help our communities by providing resources such as overdose prevention education, naloxone (an overdose-reversing drug), sexual health education and information about available behavioral health and social support services.

However, using tax-payer funds to give out needles, pipes and other drug paraphernalia, is not the compassionate nor the responsible thing to do. Efforts should come with requirements of treatment and accountability, supporting people suffering from addiction with the resources to break their addiction and tackle root causes of substance-abuse. These members of our community need substance-abuse treatment and rehabilitation. Tax-payer dollars would be far better spent on treatment, outreach and prevention.

We ask all partners, county, state and our valuable non-profits, to refrain from funding or providing needle exchange services in our cities and communities. Instead, we ask for your help in addressing the root causes of substance-abuse, by providing prevention resources, education and treatment programs to encourage healthy change. We insist on providing a hand up, not handouts that perpetuate illegal drug use. Together, we can help put people on a path to recovery and help end the cycle of abuse.