Amid the rising rates of opioid cases and overdoses, mobile syringe providers have emerged. Cases in the rising opioid epidemic do not exclude any state in the U.S. Which means people are becoming addicted to opioids from Maine to California and everything in between. The rising cases of opioid use and subsequently overdoses has caused individuals, lawmakers, and organizations to seek ways to help lower these cases.
Opioid Epidemic Wrecks Havoc on Communities
In addition to the deaths and drug usage being an issue, the problems that come with addiction and communities. For example, as more people become addicted to opioids, or other hard drugs, they begin seeking stronger “highs.” Which includes doing more of the drug or looking for new, faster ways to get the drug into their system. One way that people look for the “rush” that hardcore drugs give them is through a syringe.
When people become addicted to opioids and other hard drugs they can become less concerned with their safety. Meaning, they don’t concern themselves with what could hurt or kill them, and focus on the “high” and how to get the drug into their system. This could include sharing syringe needles with other people, without thinking if that person has an illness that could effect them later on.
Furthermore, opioid, and other drug, users become less observant while they chase their demons. This can cause them to loose or leave behind drugs, personal items, or paraphernalia like syringe needles. Subsequently, this places communities in the mist of opioid usage crisis at risk. Why? Like sharing a needle with someone else, if a child other community member accidently pricks themselves with it, they are at risk of catching diseases. Furthermore, they are also at risk of overdosing on whatever drug is in the needle.
Rising Opioid Cases Causes Mobile Syringe Providers to Emerge
As the opioid epidemic rises, so does the overdose and death cases. Which is why so many individuals and groups are seeking ways to help alleviate the dangers of the opioid crisis. Along with the subsequential paraphernalia being left around communities. As such, mobile syringe and needle exchange providers have emerged all around the United States
Many advocates for such serves believe it important for addicts to have places to exchange dirty syringes for sterile ones. In addition to helping put a stop to them being left around communities, it would help eliminate the users from catching various diseases. Including, but nit limited to HIV and Hepatitis.
In Bangor, Maine, there is a mobile syringe provider called Needlepoint Sanctuary. An organization that has been approved to have vehicles at various spots around the city, so drug users can exchange their dirty needles. Such as Pickering Square (the BAT bus depot), near the homeless encampment on Texas Avenue and University Drive, and next to the Bangor Public Library (Pierce Park). Furthermore, many community member had been unaware of the approval for the mobile syringe exchanges until the City Council meeting held last month.
Subsequently, many people have raised concerns over Needle Sanctuary’s mobile presence. They believe the emerging mobile syringe providers will encourage further drug usage. Thus causing a further rise in opioid cases and overdoses.
Concerns Over Mobile Syringe Providers and Opioid Cases
Amid the concerns over mobile syringe providers and rising opioid cases experts voice their opinions. Such as, William Hurley, executive director of Needlepoint Sanctuary, who shared his viewpoints and statistics. For years, “the merits of harm reduction have been proven,” stated Hurley. “They reduce overdoses, rates of HIV and hepatitis c, and studies have shown that where syringe services exist, there’s actually less needle waste.”
Therefore, having mobile syringe providers can help reduce ailments and overdoses caused by rising opioid cases. Furthermore, having mobile syringe exchange providers in high traffic areas is important. Especially, when these are the areas drug users tend to gather.
However, amid the rising concerns over the mobile needle exchanges, Hurley stated the group was willing to find other locations. That is providing the city and the group find alternative locations to set up shop. Subsequently, neither has yet to do so.
Federal Laws Preventing More Mobile Syringe Exchange Providers
Due to various federal laws on drugs and paraphernalia, mobile hypodermic needle exchange and other programs rely on state, municipal, or charitable funds. Due to this, programs like this may have to defend their legal authority if they are challenged under their state law.
Currently, there are more than 300 of these programs across the United States. In June 2018, a study polled 1,004 adults on their feelings on “safe injection sites” and needle exchange programs. Of those polled, 29% supported safe consumption sites — which like the the name suggests are areas where drug users can go to do their products “safely.” In these areas there will be people to monitor them to ensure they do not overdose and subsequently die.
Furthermore, of those polled only 39% supported legalizing syringe services programs, which includes mobile needle exchange providers. Additionally, the study also indicated that those who held negative opinions of these programs, also held cynical views of opioid users. Unfortunately, some of these opinions stem from they way addicts can trash areas or rob/steal from homes and businesses.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
Bangor Daily News: A mobile syringe provider ignites opioid debate in Bangor
John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Public Support For Needle Exchange Programs, Safe Injection Sites Remain Low in U.S.
National Library of Medicine: Law and Policy
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