Stop Syringe Services Program

The County of San Diego is pursuing a harm reduction program, including syringe services and safer smoking supplies, through the California Department of Public Health. The good news is you can give your input on this ridiculous plan!

This potential program involves, in part, the distribution of free needles and various other drug paraphernalia, and includes:

  • Sterile syringes
  • Personal sharps disposal containers
  • Safer injection and wound care supplies
  • Naloxone
  • Fentanyl test strips
  • Condoms and lube packets with instructions
  • Educational information on HIV, STDs, and viral hepatitis transmission prevention
  • Safer smoking supplies (including pipe covers, mouthpieces, foil sheets, clean glass stems, and bubblers)

While the intention behind this approach may seem well-meaning, I firmly believe that it will ultimately do more harm than good to neighborhoods and communities. By providing drug paraphernalia, in large part to homeless individuals, we are essentially enabling and normalizing dangerous drug use, exacerbating addiction issues, and potentially putting our community at an increased risk.

Please join me in opposing this proposal, or components of it, for San Diego. Your input and active participation can make a critical difference in thwarting this harmful strategy and safeguarding our communities. 

Will you sign?

Recent responses

  • I am opposed to supporting drug use by providing people with

    Sterile syringes,

    Personal sharps disposal containers,

    Safer injection and wound care supplies,

    Naloxone,

    Fentanyl test strips,

    And Safer smoking supplies (including pipe covers, mouthpieces, foil sheets, clean glass stems, and bubblers.

    I do, however, support the distribution of Condoms and lube packets with instructions and

    Educational information on HIV, STDs, and viral hepatitis transmission prevention
  • Please ban this program, we need to CLEAN UP Escondido, NOT ATTRACT MORE HARM
  • As a nurse who has had to care for many of these homeless people, safer drug supplies will make no difference to them.
  • I’ve been sober for 9 years and I believe this is a horrible idea.
  • Harm Reduction ends up sustaining and enabling addictions. Treat the true causes instead.
  • Absolutely not. This will undoubtedly only make the problem worse.
  • It’s like giving an alcoholic a full bottle. Need to get them away from the “hardware”.
  • This will just make the problem worse!!! Common sense! Like giving away candy – more people will come.
  • This program is not going to help our community.
  • This program will only reinforce a vicious cycle of drug dependency. To have a lasting impact, a more effective plan must deal with the root cause by addressing the mental health issue through treatment, counseling and eventual job training in order to help these folks off the street, away from drugs and gainful employment to be a productive member of society.

    As business owner, we strongly oppose this program!