#needleexchange

Best part of my week, I’m still shocked every time I walk in and get things I used to stress about constantly

"For me, it’s been about leveraging the new & existing intersections that impact people who use drugs to build a network of accomplices. As certain protections continue to erode, new frontiers and collaborations emerge." -Haley Coles, Sonoran Prevention Works, Arizona.

The various policy environments across the United States for #syringeaccess programs. Beautiful interactive map from NASTAD. 

Fresno Needle Exchange Ends: Impacts on Senior Health

Hello, dear listeners of Ope Vox! Today, we're discussing a Fresno decision that's sparking debate: ending a needle exchange program at the local health department. If addiction affects your family or community, this could hit home. We'll cover the news, why it's important for your safety, and a quick tip to stay protected. Let's get into it with care and clarity.

Straight from ABC30 Fresno today, August 20, 2025: The County Supervisors voted 3-2 to boot the San Joaquin Valley Free Medical Clinic's needle exchange from the health department building. For nearly two years, it offered clean needles Saturdays to prevent HIV and hepatitis spread, plus wound care that eased hospital burdens—saving $6.3 million last year alone. Dr. Marc Lasher, the clinic's president, says it connects folks to treatment upfront. But Supervisor Garry Bredefeld calls it "destructive," arguing it hands out tools for addiction. Supervisor Luis Chavez worries this closes doors to recovery. The CDC supports these programs, saying they're effective without boosting drug use or crime. For us older folks, this means potential risks like more discarded needles in neighborhoods or fewer resources for loved ones.

To understand this Fresno decision, let’s step back and look at what needle exchange programs are and why they matter. These programs, also called syringe service programs, provide clean needles to people who inject drugs, aiming to prevent the spread of diseases like HIV, hepatitis C, and even bacterial infections from dirty needles. Think of it like giving someone a clean plate to eat their meal—it doesn’t make them eat more, but it keeps them safer while they’re at it.The CDC has studied these programs for decades and found they reduce HIV transmission by up to 50% and hepatitis C by similar margins. They also connect people to medical care, addiction treatment, and social services. In Fresno, the San Joaquin Valley Free Medical Clinic treated about 150 people a month and distributed 400,000 needles a year. That’s a lot of needles kept out of parks and streets, reducing risks for everyone, including older adults who might encounter discarded syringes while walking or gardening. The program also saved $6.3 million by cutting emergency room visits, which is huge when you consider how stretched our hospitals are.Fresno’s program wasn’t perfect. It cost the county $90,000 a year for things like security and utilities, and it didn’t require users to turn in dirty needles to get clean ones. That raised concerns about needles ending up in public spaces. But here’s the kicker: studies from the National Institute on Drug Abuse show these programs don’t increase drug use or crime. They’re about harm reduction—keeping people alive and healthy enough to seek help when they’re ready. For older adults, this matters because addiction can affect your kids, grandkids, or neighbors, and these programs can lower the community’s health risks.

By day, Terry Garcia attends Fordham University, studying to be a lab technician. But at night, the 44-year-old Vietnam veteran takes to the streets to earn a living as a transsexual prostitute, to pay for monthly estrogen injections and, eventually, surgery to become a woman. "It's not like I can get a job at Macy's," said the student, in a slinky peach dress, who prefers to be called Ms. Garcia. "We're not accepted anywhere, not by gays or straights."