Santa Cruz County still dealing with dirty needle problem

239 used needles were found across Santa Cruz County between 3/9/2017-4/8/17, according to the latest needle solutions report from Take Back Santa Cruz. 32 needles were found by citizens and community groups; the other 207 needles were found by Santa Cruz City workers. The average number of needles found is 260 per month.

“That’s just crazy. We shouldn’t have to have our children playing in areas where needles are found like that,” Santa Cruz resident Jennifer Gomez said.

A 7-year-old even found a needle loaded with heroin on the sidewalk next to San Lorenzo Park.

“I have a 7-year-old girl myself and I would just be absolutely beside myself if that happened to one of my kids,” Gomez said.

Take Back Santa Cruz, which has been collecting data on used needles for years, says it is important to keep doing the reports.

“We do not want the community to forget where our problems stem from and they don’t stem from the needles, they stem from what people are putting in the needles and the drug addiction problem we have in our community,” said Analicia Cube with Take Back Santa Cruz.

The issue is something that Santa Cruz County officials are aware of so they have several safe collection sites and passed the first provider take back law in the country.

“Any pharmacy that sells needles, if you bring in needles they have to collect them at no charge and the pharmaceutical manufacturers pay for that program,” explained Santa Cruz County Spokesperson Jason Hoppin.

A couple of years ago, the county also got involved in a one-to-one needle exchange program. Hoppin says it’s important because the county doesn’t want to see the nation’s opioid crisis turn into an even bigger public health problem.

“We don’t want to see that (opioid crisis) become an aids epidemic or a hepatitis epidemic. It has happened in other communities that don’t have needle exchange programs so that’s why it exists here in Santa Cruz County,” said Hoppin.

However, not everyone agrees that the needle exchange approach is the way to go with some saying that more emphasis on rehabilitation is vital.

“Back in the 80’s, HIV and Aids was a huge issue and the needle exchange program was way more needed than it is now. The number one thing this community wants to see the needle exchange program do is when people come in to exchange their needles let’s get help for them,” Cube said.

Another proposed solution is AB 186, a bill proposed by Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman from Stockton. The bill, which was first introduced statewide and then narrowed to eight counties, including Santa Cruz, would create places for people to take drugs with the supervision of medical professionals. However, at least two county supervisors said no and sent a letter saying in part:

“While we appreciate innovative efforts at harmful reduction, we agree with the Santa Cruz County’s public health officer that Santa Cruz County is not prepared for an injection facility.”

In response to that statement, Eggman told KION that the bill gives communities the option to try the program. She says it has proven effective in improving public safety.

Eggman added that it is “entirely optional, and gives communities discretion and authority over its establishment and implementation.”