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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Syringe litter concerns and city efforts to address them
0:14:20
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Linn-Walton addresses the growing concern of syringe litter and outlines the city's efforts to combat this issue. She introduces the Community Syringe Redemption Program as a new initiative to address the problem.
- The city is working with various departments to address syringe litter in parks and other public spaces
- The Community Syringe Redemption Program will launch this spring, offering financial incentives for safe syringe return
- SSPs play a crucial role in educating participants on safe disposal and conducting syringe litter clean-up in their service areas
Rebecca Linn-Walton
0:14:20
The health department also recognizes the public safety and quality of life issues with syringe litter.
0:14:26
This is a growing concern and the city takes this issue seriously.
0:14:29
We are working closely with our partners in the parks department, Sanitation Department and other city agencies to better address syringe litter, which is one of the many negative impacts on communities most impacted by the overdose crisis.
0:14:44
Thanks to Deputy Speaker Ayala and the council, we are proud to launch the community syringe redemption program this spring.
0:14:51
This is a novel addition to our layered approach to addressing syringe litter in parks and other spaces where complaints are highest.
0:14:58
The redemption program will engage people who use drugs, train people on safe syringe disposal and financially incentivize them to safely return used syringes which will reduce the risk of improper disposal.
0:15:11
This will also offer another touch point to connect folks to health treatment and other wraparound services.
0:15:18
Other cities with similar programs saw fewer complaints and more vibrant public spaces.
0:15:24
The organizations we're discussing today, SSPs, offer participants options for safe syringe disposal and conduct syringe litter clean up in the neighborhoods they serve.
0:15:34
These organizations are the best way to address our shared goals of reducing disease and overdose deaths while reducing the risk of syringe litter.
0:15:43
SSPs reduce syringe litter because they educate program participants on safe disposal and offer receptacles for safe disposal.
0:15:50
As previously mentioned, six of these programs offer outreach, support outreach and syringe litter teams.
0:15:57
These teams pick up syringe litter and engage with people in the community to connect them with their services.
0:16:03
The reality is that not everyone who uses drugs visits an SSP.
0:16:07
We are always trying to connect with more people to these services and would appreciate the council's partnership in supporting and protecting these critical services.