In a controversial move, Santa Cruz county supervisors have placed a cap on the secondhand distribution of syringes from the county’s one-for-one exchange program.
Beginning next month, people who exchange used syringes will be limited to taking syringes for themselves and no more than two other people.
The county’s Syringe Program currently allows the exchange of up to 100 syringes per user.
The change was criticized by syringe activists and county health officials who said the change is not considered a best practice.
The new policy limits the number of syringes exchanged to no more than 300 per client, per visit. That is 100 for the client and 200 shared by two additional people.
