Syringe Program In Santa Cruz County: Public Sessions Scheduled

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Information and concerns about Santa Cruz County's Syringe Services Program will be aired during two upcoming "community listening sessions."

Hosted by the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, the free public meetings are a place intended to share information about the Syringe Services Program, including hearing different points of view and identifying key areas of concern on public health and community impacts, according to the county.

The feedback gathered will help inform future program development, the county said.

Beginning in April 2013, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency began administering the Syringe Services Program. The program's primary goal is to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases associated with injection drug use and to address the community's concern regarding improperly discarded syringes, according to the county.

The program consists of three components: syringe exchange; syringe disposal and community cleanup; and community awareness and education.

If you would like to get more information about the county's Syringe Services Program, or if you would like to share your thoughts, plan to attend one of these meetings:

In Santa Cruz:

Thursday, Nov. 14
5 p.m.-7 p.m.
1080 Emeline Ave.
Basement Auditorium

In Watsonville"

Tuesday, Nov. 19
5 p.m.-7 p.m.
18 Beach St.
Rooms 2 & 3

The sessions are open to the public.