Colorado Politics

The Pueblo Chieftain: Inject more scrutiny into needle exchange program

The Southern Colorado Harm Reduction Association got a temporary reprieve last week when the Pueblo City Council agreed to provide $10,000 to help cover the group’s operating expenses. However, more information about the work the group is doing should be provided if it’s going to continue to get funding from the city or any other public sources.

Judy Solano and Dr. Mike Nerenberg, who operate the association, said they needed the funding because of a rapidly growing client base. The association provides clean needles, AcuDetox, Narcan and clothing for drug addicts. Since starting the program in July 2017, the number of people taking advantage of the association’s services has ballooned from about 35 to 1,200 registered participants.

That’s certainly a significant increase and would seem, on the surface, to justify additional funding. But an increased number of participants shouldn’t be the only measure of whether the program is being successful or deserves public funding.

Read more at The Pueblo Chieftain.

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