Manatee will start collecting dirty needles in exchange for clean ones. Here’s why
A new partnership between the Florida Department of Health and Manatee County government will provide clean needles in exchange for dirty ones in an effort to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like hepatitis and HIV.
The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a new ordinance authorizing a syringe exchange program. It follows a successful University of Miami pilot program that has collected hundreds of thousands of dirty needles over the past three years.
Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature passed the Infectious Disease Elimination Act (IDEA) that allows counties across the state to perform similar services. Only three other counties in state have moved to adopt the program.
The initiative comes right after a new report pointed to an uptick in Manatee County overdose deaths. According to the Florida Department of Health, the misuse of opioids is linked to an increase in transmission of diseases. About 1,100 people in Manatee County live with HIV, and more than 300 have hepatitis C.
Program offers more than fresh needles
But the syringe exchange program is more than a place to get fresh needles. The ordinance also requires organizers to provide free and confidential testing for hepatitis C and HIV, as well as rehabilitation resources.
“The state IDEA legislation promotes a harm reduction approach, which allows individuals who are at various stages of recovery to receive education about how to preserve their health and safety while learning about treatment services and other harm reduction strategies,” said Joshua Barnett, the county’s health care services manager.
According to county staff, the new needle exchange system should reduce the number of dangerous, used syringes in public places like playgrounds, beaches and parks. It could also decrease the number of used needles that law enforcement officers come in contact with.
“Substance abuse has had a significant negative impact on the overall wellness of our community, adversely affecting those who were victim to the opioid epidemic,” Dr. William Colgate, chairman of the Manatee Health Care Alliance Board of Directors, wrote in a Nov. 21 letter to commissioners, supporting the initiative.
Other communities already have exchange programs
More than 300 American communities already have similar syringe exchange programs in place. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says they have led to reduced drug usage, reduced infection and better access to critical rehabilitation resources.
“By providing new and sterile syringes to people who inject drugs, syringe exchange programs help reduce HIV and viral hepatitis infections,” the Florida Department of Health said in a release. “Programs also provide additional prevention and intervention services like vaccination, testing, links to infectious disease care and substance use treatment.”
The IDEA law also prohibits governmental bodies from spending any taxpayer money on the program. Instead, it will rely solely on grants and donations from the community. Providers for the service, however, have not been identified, but the county is aiming to institute the program at established drug treatment centers, Barnett said.
An annual report provided to Manatee commissioners and state officials will track the program’s key goals, such as how many people are being served, how many needles are being exchanged and how many people are taking advantage of the resources provided alongside the needle service.
A starting date for Manatee’s syringe exchange program has not been determined.
This story was originally published December 13, 2019 at 5:00 AM.
