This past week, the County Board of Supervisors on a somewhat rare party-line vote, decided to continue the needle exchange program that will cost the Yolo County taxpayers $100,000 per year.
This despite tangible evidence of problems with the program.
One of the biggest problems with the program at this point has to do with the number of unaccounted for needles. There were 61,752 needles that were passed out but only 50,499 needles that were turned back in. That leaves 11,253 unaccounted for needles. Needles that are reportedly showing up in parks and other areas where children frequent.
Supervisor Matt Rexroad, a strong opponent of the program found it unacceptable that that many needles are unaccounted for.
“That seems like a ridiculously high number.”
Supervisor Rexroad also said as he has previously that he thinks the money could better be spent elsewhere.
Back on July 2, 2008 the Vanguard interviewed Matt Rexroad but also program administrator Rachel Anderson from SANE (Safer Alternatives Through Networking and Education).
There is always a fear that somehow a needle exchange program might encourage people to use drugs, but that seems rather farfetched. People are not likely to suddenly start using IV drugs because clean needles are available.
Given the cost of health care and the cost to the county services to care for people with these kinds of chronic diseases, if the $100,000 program even reduces the number of infections by one, it almost pays for itself.
So while I am sympathetic to Matt Rexroad’s argument that he poses on the radio show that it could be better used for children’s health care, I think this is still a worthwhile program to explore.
My concern however is that it is obviously listening to the testimony and reading articles that the program has administration problems. The number of unaccounted for needles is in my opinion completely unacceptable.
So what does the 3-2 majority do to tighten up the administration of this program? Not a darn thing! It does nothing.
I am a liberal who supports these kinds of programs but they darn well better work. And if they are not working right, make them work. To often the problem with government is that those who support these programs are afraid to admit when there are problems and those who understand that there are problems with the program just want to kill the program. There is thus no one invested in making the program work.
Part of the problem that some have told with this program is that everyone knew it would be a hot buttoned issue and so there was a protection mechanism from the administration of the program who tried to keep any problems at the lowest possible level in order to prevent what has now happened. The problem is that that approach clearly did not fix the problem and the program ended up in the spotlight.
Instead of trying to fix the program, everyone either tried to cover up the problems or use the problems to destroy the program.
That still does not explain or justify why the Board of Supervisors now apparently fully briefed on some of the problems with the program, made no effort whatsoever to fix the problem.
Again, I fully support the program in concept, but I remain baffled that those in charge have not made efforts to make it work better.
—Doug Paul Davis reporting
That leaves 11,253 unaccounted for needles. Needles that are reportedly showing up in parks and other areas where children frequent.
Supervisor Matt Rexroad, a strong opponent of the program found it unacceptable that that many needles are unaccounted for.
“That seems like a ridiculously high number.”
Matt is right. Public funds are creating a health hazard in the form of discarded needles. This program should be shut down completely.
That leaves 11,253 unaccounted for needles. Needles that are reportedly showing up in parks and other areas where children frequent.
Supervisor Matt Rexroad, a strong opponent of the program found it unacceptable that that many needles are unaccounted for.
“That seems like a ridiculously high number.”
Matt is right. Public funds are creating a health hazard in the form of discarded needles. This program should be shut down completely.
That leaves 11,253 unaccounted for needles. Needles that are reportedly showing up in parks and other areas where children frequent.
Supervisor Matt Rexroad, a strong opponent of the program found it unacceptable that that many needles are unaccounted for.
“That seems like a ridiculously high number.”
Matt is right. Public funds are creating a health hazard in the form of discarded needles. This program should be shut down completely.
That leaves 11,253 unaccounted for needles. Needles that are reportedly showing up in parks and other areas where children frequent.
Supervisor Matt Rexroad, a strong opponent of the program found it unacceptable that that many needles are unaccounted for.
“That seems like a ridiculously high number.”
Matt is right. Public funds are creating a health hazard in the form of discarded needles. This program should be shut down completely.
That’s an open question Don–isn’t it? Is it creating a health hazard? What would be going on with the needles without the exchange? What about disease prevention?
Why should it be shut down rather than fixed?
That’s an open question Don–isn’t it? Is it creating a health hazard? What would be going on with the needles without the exchange? What about disease prevention?
Why should it be shut down rather than fixed?
That’s an open question Don–isn’t it? Is it creating a health hazard? What would be going on with the needles without the exchange? What about disease prevention?
Why should it be shut down rather than fixed?
That’s an open question Don–isn’t it? Is it creating a health hazard? What would be going on with the needles without the exchange? What about disease prevention?
Why should it be shut down rather than fixed?
I havent heard any analysis or proposed solutions to better recover the used needles.
DPD, has anyone proposed a remedy?
I agree with Rexroad that 11,000 missing needles is insane.
And I think it is absolutely horrible that those needles are showing up in backyards, chewed on by pets.
I would have voted to suspend the program unless there were solutions to recover more needles.
I havent heard any analysis or proposed solutions to better recover the used needles.
DPD, has anyone proposed a remedy?
I agree with Rexroad that 11,000 missing needles is insane.
And I think it is absolutely horrible that those needles are showing up in backyards, chewed on by pets.
I would have voted to suspend the program unless there were solutions to recover more needles.
I havent heard any analysis or proposed solutions to better recover the used needles.
DPD, has anyone proposed a remedy?
I agree with Rexroad that 11,000 missing needles is insane.
And I think it is absolutely horrible that those needles are showing up in backyards, chewed on by pets.
I would have voted to suspend the program unless there were solutions to recover more needles.
I havent heard any analysis or proposed solutions to better recover the used needles.
DPD, has anyone proposed a remedy?
I agree with Rexroad that 11,000 missing needles is insane.
And I think it is absolutely horrible that those needles are showing up in backyards, chewed on by pets.
I would have voted to suspend the program unless there were solutions to recover more needles.
According to Rexroad, you are only dealing with 150 people, seems to me you enforce the exchange part of the program, they get x-amount of needles, they have to come back with those needles or they don’t get anymore. I’d also suggest receptacles like you have at doctors offices for biohazards.
According to Rexroad, you are only dealing with 150 people, seems to me you enforce the exchange part of the program, they get x-amount of needles, they have to come back with those needles or they don’t get anymore. I’d also suggest receptacles like you have at doctors offices for biohazards.
According to Rexroad, you are only dealing with 150 people, seems to me you enforce the exchange part of the program, they get x-amount of needles, they have to come back with those needles or they don’t get anymore. I’d also suggest receptacles like you have at doctors offices for biohazards.
According to Rexroad, you are only dealing with 150 people, seems to me you enforce the exchange part of the program, they get x-amount of needles, they have to come back with those needles or they don’t get anymore. I’d also suggest receptacles like you have at doctors offices for biohazards.
“Needles that are reportedly showing up in parks and other areas where children frequent…
…made no effort whatsoever to fix the problem.”
Those are all good ideas, but it sounds as though the administrators of the program aren’t implementing them. So it seems to me that pulling the plug, or at least threatening to do so, may be the only way to get their attention. Discarded needles are a health hazard.
“if the $100,000 program even reduces the number of infections by one, it almost pays for itself.”
Not if some kid gets infected by a stray needle.
I would love to hear one of the 3 who voted to continue this program explain their rationale.
“Needles that are reportedly showing up in parks and other areas where children frequent…
…made no effort whatsoever to fix the problem.”
Those are all good ideas, but it sounds as though the administrators of the program aren’t implementing them. So it seems to me that pulling the plug, or at least threatening to do so, may be the only way to get their attention. Discarded needles are a health hazard.
“if the $100,000 program even reduces the number of infections by one, it almost pays for itself.”
Not if some kid gets infected by a stray needle.
I would love to hear one of the 3 who voted to continue this program explain their rationale.
“Needles that are reportedly showing up in parks and other areas where children frequent…
…made no effort whatsoever to fix the problem.”
Those are all good ideas, but it sounds as though the administrators of the program aren’t implementing them. So it seems to me that pulling the plug, or at least threatening to do so, may be the only way to get their attention. Discarded needles are a health hazard.
“if the $100,000 program even reduces the number of infections by one, it almost pays for itself.”
Not if some kid gets infected by a stray needle.
I would love to hear one of the 3 who voted to continue this program explain their rationale.
“Needles that are reportedly showing up in parks and other areas where children frequent…
…made no effort whatsoever to fix the problem.”
Those are all good ideas, but it sounds as though the administrators of the program aren’t implementing them. So it seems to me that pulling the plug, or at least threatening to do so, may be the only way to get their attention. Discarded needles are a health hazard.
“if the $100,000 program even reduces the number of infections by one, it almost pays for itself.”
Not if some kid gets infected by a stray needle.
I would love to hear one of the 3 who voted to continue this program explain their rationale.
Has the county implemented a “one for one” exchange program? My understanding is that there is evidence that those programs that have implemented a “one for one” exchange have a very high recovery rate 97% to 100%. I also noticed that Vancouver has a needle exchange program (DEYAS) that has a 101% recovery rate (getting back more than they give out).
“DEYAS provides Sharp’s containers to community businesses, organizations, facilities and residents to safely store used syringes until they can be returned to the Exchange’s office. The society has hired a worker to pick-up needles, condoms and other paraphernalia from community streets, lanes, parks and schoolyards. This worker also coordinates distribution and collection of Sharp’s containers.”
It appears that it can work, but it must be implemented effectively. Did the BOS get any kind of assurances that the Program Administrators would follow the models that appear to be working effectively in used needle recovery? If they didn’t – why not?
Has the county implemented a “one for one” exchange program? My understanding is that there is evidence that those programs that have implemented a “one for one” exchange have a very high recovery rate 97% to 100%. I also noticed that Vancouver has a needle exchange program (DEYAS) that has a 101% recovery rate (getting back more than they give out).
“DEYAS provides Sharp’s containers to community businesses, organizations, facilities and residents to safely store used syringes until they can be returned to the Exchange’s office. The society has hired a worker to pick-up needles, condoms and other paraphernalia from community streets, lanes, parks and schoolyards. This worker also coordinates distribution and collection of Sharp’s containers.”
It appears that it can work, but it must be implemented effectively. Did the BOS get any kind of assurances that the Program Administrators would follow the models that appear to be working effectively in used needle recovery? If they didn’t – why not?
Has the county implemented a “one for one” exchange program? My understanding is that there is evidence that those programs that have implemented a “one for one” exchange have a very high recovery rate 97% to 100%. I also noticed that Vancouver has a needle exchange program (DEYAS) that has a 101% recovery rate (getting back more than they give out).
“DEYAS provides Sharp’s containers to community businesses, organizations, facilities and residents to safely store used syringes until they can be returned to the Exchange’s office. The society has hired a worker to pick-up needles, condoms and other paraphernalia from community streets, lanes, parks and schoolyards. This worker also coordinates distribution and collection of Sharp’s containers.”
It appears that it can work, but it must be implemented effectively. Did the BOS get any kind of assurances that the Program Administrators would follow the models that appear to be working effectively in used needle recovery? If they didn’t – why not?
Has the county implemented a “one for one” exchange program? My understanding is that there is evidence that those programs that have implemented a “one for one” exchange have a very high recovery rate 97% to 100%. I also noticed that Vancouver has a needle exchange program (DEYAS) that has a 101% recovery rate (getting back more than they give out).
“DEYAS provides Sharp’s containers to community businesses, organizations, facilities and residents to safely store used syringes until they can be returned to the Exchange’s office. The society has hired a worker to pick-up needles, condoms and other paraphernalia from community streets, lanes, parks and schoolyards. This worker also coordinates distribution and collection of Sharp’s containers.”
It appears that it can work, but it must be implemented effectively. Did the BOS get any kind of assurances that the Program Administrators would follow the models that appear to be working effectively in used needle recovery? If they didn’t – why not?
I would like to know how many used (or unused) needles have shown up in parks or areas that children frequent?
How did they determine that they were from the Exchange Program?
How many left the area? (Often the addicted person travels to various location.)
And, how many were kept by the person that exchanged because they chooses not to have contact with the program?
I would like to know how many used (or unused) needles have shown up in parks or areas that children frequent?
How did they determine that they were from the Exchange Program?
How many left the area? (Often the addicted person travels to various location.)
And, how many were kept by the person that exchanged because they chooses not to have contact with the program?
I would like to know how many used (or unused) needles have shown up in parks or areas that children frequent?
How did they determine that they were from the Exchange Program?
How many left the area? (Often the addicted person travels to various location.)
And, how many were kept by the person that exchanged because they chooses not to have contact with the program?
I would like to know how many used (or unused) needles have shown up in parks or areas that children frequent?
How did they determine that they were from the Exchange Program?
How many left the area? (Often the addicted person travels to various location.)
And, how many were kept by the person that exchanged because they chooses not to have contact with the program?
This is a problem in need of an economic solution.
The individuals who are in charge of handing out the needles have no financial incentive to get them all back.
As such, the answer is not too difficult: give the people dispensing the needles an incentive to recover the needles; and charge them money when the needles are not returned.
The dispensers would soon enough figure out on their own how to get every needle (or very nearly every needle) returned every time.
The needles would have to be indelibly marked as being county needles, so the returned needles were not simply replacements.
But this would solve the problem.
——–
Everyone older than 35 or so can remember when every park and roadway in California was littered with empty bottles and cans. Once we gave people a financial incentive to recycle that garbage — via the small tax at purchase and the return fee at the recycle center — there were almost no more cans and bottles littering parks and roadways…. Of course, many Californians are so wealthy that they don’t bother with collecting the money on their bottles and cans — and that has led to an industry of industrious poor people seeking out cans with a CRV tag everywhere others leave them. It’s a clear example of how a financial incentive structure can clean up a waste program.
This is a problem in need of an economic solution.
The individuals who are in charge of handing out the needles have no financial incentive to get them all back.
As such, the answer is not too difficult: give the people dispensing the needles an incentive to recover the needles; and charge them money when the needles are not returned.
The dispensers would soon enough figure out on their own how to get every needle (or very nearly every needle) returned every time.
The needles would have to be indelibly marked as being county needles, so the returned needles were not simply replacements.
But this would solve the problem.
——–
Everyone older than 35 or so can remember when every park and roadway in California was littered with empty bottles and cans. Once we gave people a financial incentive to recycle that garbage — via the small tax at purchase and the return fee at the recycle center — there were almost no more cans and bottles littering parks and roadways…. Of course, many Californians are so wealthy that they don’t bother with collecting the money on their bottles and cans — and that has led to an industry of industrious poor people seeking out cans with a CRV tag everywhere others leave them. It’s a clear example of how a financial incentive structure can clean up a waste program.
This is a problem in need of an economic solution.
The individuals who are in charge of handing out the needles have no financial incentive to get them all back.
As such, the answer is not too difficult: give the people dispensing the needles an incentive to recover the needles; and charge them money when the needles are not returned.
The dispensers would soon enough figure out on their own how to get every needle (or very nearly every needle) returned every time.
The needles would have to be indelibly marked as being county needles, so the returned needles were not simply replacements.
But this would solve the problem.
——–
Everyone older than 35 or so can remember when every park and roadway in California was littered with empty bottles and cans. Once we gave people a financial incentive to recycle that garbage — via the small tax at purchase and the return fee at the recycle center — there were almost no more cans and bottles littering parks and roadways…. Of course, many Californians are so wealthy that they don’t bother with collecting the money on their bottles and cans — and that has led to an industry of industrious poor people seeking out cans with a CRV tag everywhere others leave them. It’s a clear example of how a financial incentive structure can clean up a waste program.
This is a problem in need of an economic solution.
The individuals who are in charge of handing out the needles have no financial incentive to get them all back.
As such, the answer is not too difficult: give the people dispensing the needles an incentive to recover the needles; and charge them money when the needles are not returned.
The dispensers would soon enough figure out on their own how to get every needle (or very nearly every needle) returned every time.
The needles would have to be indelibly marked as being county needles, so the returned needles were not simply replacements.
But this would solve the problem.
——–
Everyone older than 35 or so can remember when every park and roadway in California was littered with empty bottles and cans. Once we gave people a financial incentive to recycle that garbage — via the small tax at purchase and the return fee at the recycle center — there were almost no more cans and bottles littering parks and roadways…. Of course, many Californians are so wealthy that they don’t bother with collecting the money on their bottles and cans — and that has led to an industry of industrious poor people seeking out cans with a CRV tag everywhere others leave them. It’s a clear example of how a financial incentive structure can clean up a waste program.
The county should not have done the program at all.
If we are going to do it — then it should be a one for one exchange. Right now it is one needle for up to ten clean ones.
The City of Woodland has decided not to have the exchange in their parks.
Rich did a better job describing what I was trying to articulate on Tuesday. I one for one exchange does that part of the way.
If we are going to have a program however, I think Sharps containers in parks make the parks safer — than it would be without them.
We do not know the needles found in the Woodland parks came from the program.
The county should not have done the program at all.
If we are going to do it — then it should be a one for one exchange. Right now it is one needle for up to ten clean ones.
The City of Woodland has decided not to have the exchange in their parks.
Rich did a better job describing what I was trying to articulate on Tuesday. I one for one exchange does that part of the way.
If we are going to have a program however, I think Sharps containers in parks make the parks safer — than it would be without them.
We do not know the needles found in the Woodland parks came from the program.
The county should not have done the program at all.
If we are going to do it — then it should be a one for one exchange. Right now it is one needle for up to ten clean ones.
The City of Woodland has decided not to have the exchange in their parks.
Rich did a better job describing what I was trying to articulate on Tuesday. I one for one exchange does that part of the way.
If we are going to have a program however, I think Sharps containers in parks make the parks safer — than it would be without them.
We do not know the needles found in the Woodland parks came from the program.
The county should not have done the program at all.
If we are going to do it — then it should be a one for one exchange. Right now it is one needle for up to ten clean ones.
The City of Woodland has decided not to have the exchange in their parks.
Rich did a better job describing what I was trying to articulate on Tuesday. I one for one exchange does that part of the way.
If we are going to have a program however, I think Sharps containers in parks make the parks safer — than it would be without them.
We do not know the needles found in the Woodland parks came from the program.
The county should not have done the program at all.
If we are going to do it — then it should be a one for one exchange. Right now it is one needle for up to ten clean ones.
The City of Woodland has decided not to have the exchange in their parks.
Rich did a better job describing what I was trying to articulate on Tuesday. I one for one exchange does that part of the way.
If we are going to have a program however, I think Sharps containers in parks make the parks safer — than it would be without them.
We do not know the needles found in the Woodland parks came from the program.
The county should not have done the program at all.
If we are going to do it — then it should be a one for one exchange. Right now it is one needle for up to ten clean ones.
The City of Woodland has decided not to have the exchange in their parks.
Rich did a better job describing what I was trying to articulate on Tuesday. I one for one exchange does that part of the way.
If we are going to have a program however, I think Sharps containers in parks make the parks safer — than it would be without them.
We do not know the needles found in the Woodland parks came from the program.
The county should not have done the program at all.
If we are going to do it — then it should be a one for one exchange. Right now it is one needle for up to ten clean ones.
The City of Woodland has decided not to have the exchange in their parks.
Rich did a better job describing what I was trying to articulate on Tuesday. I one for one exchange does that part of the way.
If we are going to have a program however, I think Sharps containers in parks make the parks safer — than it would be without them.
We do not know the needles found in the Woodland parks came from the program.
The county should not have done the program at all.
If we are going to do it — then it should be a one for one exchange. Right now it is one needle for up to ten clean ones.
The City of Woodland has decided not to have the exchange in their parks.
Rich did a better job describing what I was trying to articulate on Tuesday. I one for one exchange does that part of the way.
If we are going to have a program however, I think Sharps containers in parks make the parks safer — than it would be without them.
We do not know the needles found in the Woodland parks came from the program.
“The county should not have done the program at all.”
Matt,
Where is the $100,000 going? That seems like a very steep price. If that is paying for full-time employees, it seems like we are not getting our money’s worth.
I would have thought that the county could have, rather than hire people to run and work in this program, instead used already employed public health nurses, who could hand out and retrieve the needles at the county health clinics where they are already working.
David said he wants this program in place because he is a liberal. I’m not a liberal — I’m a pragmatist. My sense is that the public health cost of having drug addicts using filthy needles and spreading disease is more costly than giving out clean needles.
On the other hand, if these needles are not being returned, then we are inviting a public health hazard by having medical waste left in public parks, alleys, homeless shelters and other locations that these dregs concregate.
I think Don’s suggestion that the program should be suspended makes sense, until we establish an incentive-based regime to get all of the needles returned. However, once that can be worked out, I think the benefits of having fewer cases of HIV, hepetitis and so on spread by dirty needles is worth the cost. Keep in mind, many of the victims of these communicable diseases are not the drug addicts: they are the innocent spouses who cannot protect themselves from their addicted partners.
“The county should not have done the program at all.”
Matt,
Where is the $100,000 going? That seems like a very steep price. If that is paying for full-time employees, it seems like we are not getting our money’s worth.
I would have thought that the county could have, rather than hire people to run and work in this program, instead used already employed public health nurses, who could hand out and retrieve the needles at the county health clinics where they are already working.
David said he wants this program in place because he is a liberal. I’m not a liberal — I’m a pragmatist. My sense is that the public health cost of having drug addicts using filthy needles and spreading disease is more costly than giving out clean needles.
On the other hand, if these needles are not being returned, then we are inviting a public health hazard by having medical waste left in public parks, alleys, homeless shelters and other locations that these dregs concregate.
I think Don’s suggestion that the program should be suspended makes sense, until we establish an incentive-based regime to get all of the needles returned. However, once that can be worked out, I think the benefits of having fewer cases of HIV, hepetitis and so on spread by dirty needles is worth the cost. Keep in mind, many of the victims of these communicable diseases are not the drug addicts: they are the innocent spouses who cannot protect themselves from their addicted partners.
“The county should not have done the program at all.”
Matt,
Where is the $100,000 going? That seems like a very steep price. If that is paying for full-time employees, it seems like we are not getting our money’s worth.
I would have thought that the county could have, rather than hire people to run and work in this program, instead used already employed public health nurses, who could hand out and retrieve the needles at the county health clinics where they are already working.
David said he wants this program in place because he is a liberal. I’m not a liberal — I’m a pragmatist. My sense is that the public health cost of having drug addicts using filthy needles and spreading disease is more costly than giving out clean needles.
On the other hand, if these needles are not being returned, then we are inviting a public health hazard by having medical waste left in public parks, alleys, homeless shelters and other locations that these dregs concregate.
I think Don’s suggestion that the program should be suspended makes sense, until we establish an incentive-based regime to get all of the needles returned. However, once that can be worked out, I think the benefits of having fewer cases of HIV, hepetitis and so on spread by dirty needles is worth the cost. Keep in mind, many of the victims of these communicable diseases are not the drug addicts: they are the innocent spouses who cannot protect themselves from their addicted partners.
“The county should not have done the program at all.”
Matt,
Where is the $100,000 going? That seems like a very steep price. If that is paying for full-time employees, it seems like we are not getting our money’s worth.
I would have thought that the county could have, rather than hire people to run and work in this program, instead used already employed public health nurses, who could hand out and retrieve the needles at the county health clinics where they are already working.
David said he wants this program in place because he is a liberal. I’m not a liberal — I’m a pragmatist. My sense is that the public health cost of having drug addicts using filthy needles and spreading disease is more costly than giving out clean needles.
On the other hand, if these needles are not being returned, then we are inviting a public health hazard by having medical waste left in public parks, alleys, homeless shelters and other locations that these dregs concregate.
I think Don’s suggestion that the program should be suspended makes sense, until we establish an incentive-based regime to get all of the needles returned. However, once that can be worked out, I think the benefits of having fewer cases of HIV, hepetitis and so on spread by dirty needles is worth the cost. Keep in mind, many of the victims of these communicable diseases are not the drug addicts: they are the innocent spouses who cannot protect themselves from their addicted partners.
The money is largely transfered to two private contractors that provide the service of outreach to the clients.
The $100,000 pays them to distribute the needles.
Our ability to evaluate the program is limited. It is also the part that I find the most disturbing. In our “evaluation” we really just looked at the numbers of needles, a few people put into treatment, and the costs that it cost if someone gets sick.
For this program and many others we do not do a true evaluation of the outcomes. We are doing this because it “feels good”.
DPD may support this because he is liberal. That does not fit into my analysis. What we should be asking is if this is the best use of $100,000. I am quite sure that it is not.
The problem is that the supporters don’t have to prove that it works. As the sole opponent I seem required to prove that it does not work. Neither of us has numbers.
Matt
The money is largely transfered to two private contractors that provide the service of outreach to the clients.
The $100,000 pays them to distribute the needles.
Our ability to evaluate the program is limited. It is also the part that I find the most disturbing. In our “evaluation” we really just looked at the numbers of needles, a few people put into treatment, and the costs that it cost if someone gets sick.
For this program and many others we do not do a true evaluation of the outcomes. We are doing this because it “feels good”.
DPD may support this because he is liberal. That does not fit into my analysis. What we should be asking is if this is the best use of $100,000. I am quite sure that it is not.
The problem is that the supporters don’t have to prove that it works. As the sole opponent I seem required to prove that it does not work. Neither of us has numbers.
Matt
The money is largely transfered to two private contractors that provide the service of outreach to the clients.
The $100,000 pays them to distribute the needles.
Our ability to evaluate the program is limited. It is also the part that I find the most disturbing. In our “evaluation” we really just looked at the numbers of needles, a few people put into treatment, and the costs that it cost if someone gets sick.
For this program and many others we do not do a true evaluation of the outcomes. We are doing this because it “feels good”.
DPD may support this because he is liberal. That does not fit into my analysis. What we should be asking is if this is the best use of $100,000. I am quite sure that it is not.
The problem is that the supporters don’t have to prove that it works. As the sole opponent I seem required to prove that it does not work. Neither of us has numbers.
Matt
The money is largely transfered to two private contractors that provide the service of outreach to the clients.
The $100,000 pays them to distribute the needles.
Our ability to evaluate the program is limited. It is also the part that I find the most disturbing. In our “evaluation” we really just looked at the numbers of needles, a few people put into treatment, and the costs that it cost if someone gets sick.
For this program and many others we do not do a true evaluation of the outcomes. We are doing this because it “feels good”.
DPD may support this because he is liberal. That does not fit into my analysis. What we should be asking is if this is the best use of $100,000. I am quite sure that it is not.
The problem is that the supporters don’t have to prove that it works. As the sole opponent I seem required to prove that it does not work. Neither of us has numbers.
Matt
“The problem is that the supporters don’t have to prove that it works. As the sole opponent I seem required to prove that it does not work. Neither of us has numbers.”
I hardly think you are the sole opponent. I am another that thinks this program is ridiculous. It is another attempt at a feel good program that clearly does not work if it creates a health hazard in its attempt to fix a problem. I would go so far as to say it is a solution in search of a problem.
Drug usage is an intractable problem, where users can’t even take responsibility to dispose of needles properly. What makes anyone think they can ever be made to act responsibly? If they are taking illegal drugs in the first place, then they hardly care about doing damage to the rest of society by discarding needles in parks or other public places.
Drop the dratted program, and use the money to try solving the underlying problem of drug usage – such as broken families, lots of sex outside marriage that breeds confused and abandoned children, child abuse, etc.
“The problem is that the supporters don’t have to prove that it works. As the sole opponent I seem required to prove that it does not work. Neither of us has numbers.”
I hardly think you are the sole opponent. I am another that thinks this program is ridiculous. It is another attempt at a feel good program that clearly does not work if it creates a health hazard in its attempt to fix a problem. I would go so far as to say it is a solution in search of a problem.
Drug usage is an intractable problem, where users can’t even take responsibility to dispose of needles properly. What makes anyone think they can ever be made to act responsibly? If they are taking illegal drugs in the first place, then they hardly care about doing damage to the rest of society by discarding needles in parks or other public places.
Drop the dratted program, and use the money to try solving the underlying problem of drug usage – such as broken families, lots of sex outside marriage that breeds confused and abandoned children, child abuse, etc.
“The problem is that the supporters don’t have to prove that it works. As the sole opponent I seem required to prove that it does not work. Neither of us has numbers.”
I hardly think you are the sole opponent. I am another that thinks this program is ridiculous. It is another attempt at a feel good program that clearly does not work if it creates a health hazard in its attempt to fix a problem. I would go so far as to say it is a solution in search of a problem.
Drug usage is an intractable problem, where users can’t even take responsibility to dispose of needles properly. What makes anyone think they can ever be made to act responsibly? If they are taking illegal drugs in the first place, then they hardly care about doing damage to the rest of society by discarding needles in parks or other public places.
Drop the dratted program, and use the money to try solving the underlying problem of drug usage – such as broken families, lots of sex outside marriage that breeds confused and abandoned children, child abuse, etc.
“The problem is that the supporters don’t have to prove that it works. As the sole opponent I seem required to prove that it does not work. Neither of us has numbers.”
I hardly think you are the sole opponent. I am another that thinks this program is ridiculous. It is another attempt at a feel good program that clearly does not work if it creates a health hazard in its attempt to fix a problem. I would go so far as to say it is a solution in search of a problem.
Drug usage is an intractable problem, where users can’t even take responsibility to dispose of needles properly. What makes anyone think they can ever be made to act responsibly? If they are taking illegal drugs in the first place, then they hardly care about doing damage to the rest of society by discarding needles in parks or other public places.
Drop the dratted program, and use the money to try solving the underlying problem of drug usage – such as broken families, lots of sex outside marriage that breeds confused and abandoned children, child abuse, etc.
In response to the comment regarding the Board of Supervisors did nothing to improve the program.
At the Board meeting, after much discussion, the County Supervisors carefully took into consideration the concerns from the community. They voted to continue the program with the results to date, and directed staff to refine the data collection and evaluation of the program. Staff have already begun implementing these changes.
Three months ago, Health Department staff created a Sharps Disposal Task Force to look at syringe disposal, and to plan how to effectively address the change in the Health and Safety Codes effective September 1, 2008 that makes it illegal for any home generated human or animal sharps/syringes to be disposed of in a landfill.
The program is designed based on scientifically proven methods. With continued implementation we should see significant results within the next 3 to 5 years.
In response to the comment regarding the Board of Supervisors did nothing to improve the program.
At the Board meeting, after much discussion, the County Supervisors carefully took into consideration the concerns from the community. They voted to continue the program with the results to date, and directed staff to refine the data collection and evaluation of the program. Staff have already begun implementing these changes.
Three months ago, Health Department staff created a Sharps Disposal Task Force to look at syringe disposal, and to plan how to effectively address the change in the Health and Safety Codes effective September 1, 2008 that makes it illegal for any home generated human or animal sharps/syringes to be disposed of in a landfill.
The program is designed based on scientifically proven methods. With continued implementation we should see significant results within the next 3 to 5 years.
In response to the comment regarding the Board of Supervisors did nothing to improve the program.
At the Board meeting, after much discussion, the County Supervisors carefully took into consideration the concerns from the community. They voted to continue the program with the results to date, and directed staff to refine the data collection and evaluation of the program. Staff have already begun implementing these changes.
Three months ago, Health Department staff created a Sharps Disposal Task Force to look at syringe disposal, and to plan how to effectively address the change in the Health and Safety Codes effective September 1, 2008 that makes it illegal for any home generated human or animal sharps/syringes to be disposed of in a landfill.
The program is designed based on scientifically proven methods. With continued implementation we should see significant results within the next 3 to 5 years.
In response to the comment regarding the Board of Supervisors did nothing to improve the program.
At the Board meeting, after much discussion, the County Supervisors carefully took into consideration the concerns from the community. They voted to continue the program with the results to date, and directed staff to refine the data collection and evaluation of the program. Staff have already begun implementing these changes.
Three months ago, Health Department staff created a Sharps Disposal Task Force to look at syringe disposal, and to plan how to effectively address the change in the Health and Safety Codes effective September 1, 2008 that makes it illegal for any home generated human or animal sharps/syringes to be disposed of in a landfill.
The program is designed based on scientifically proven methods. With continued implementation we should see significant results within the next 3 to 5 years.
Today, while visiting in the area of Freeman Park I noticed a woman and man with bags that were labeled with a food program on them. After watching for a while I realized that there was a needle exchange event happening at that moment. So I looked a little closer at the patrons of the park at that time. The activity that was taking place during and after the people (did I mention they were wearing some sort of employment badge)left the area. It was very interesting. I am usually in that area at that time 3 to 4 times a month. The people that frequent the park are families, elderly, and a few folks sitting on the benches playing games. Rarely have I seen people there that have physical characteristics of one that may be a user.
Only today the park was the primary location for apparent users. There was commotion after the distribution. Various people headed to the facilities as a “group”. It was an odd vision to be sure. I was under the impression that the program is no longer exchanging in areas that children frequent. Where ever the exchange is moved to, they will follow. Why the park?
Today, while visiting in the area of Freeman Park I noticed a woman and man with bags that were labeled with a food program on them. After watching for a while I realized that there was a needle exchange event happening at that moment. So I looked a little closer at the patrons of the park at that time. The activity that was taking place during and after the people (did I mention they were wearing some sort of employment badge)left the area. It was very interesting. I am usually in that area at that time 3 to 4 times a month. The people that frequent the park are families, elderly, and a few folks sitting on the benches playing games. Rarely have I seen people there that have physical characteristics of one that may be a user.
Only today the park was the primary location for apparent users. There was commotion after the distribution. Various people headed to the facilities as a “group”. It was an odd vision to be sure. I was under the impression that the program is no longer exchanging in areas that children frequent. Where ever the exchange is moved to, they will follow. Why the park?
Today, while visiting in the area of Freeman Park I noticed a woman and man with bags that were labeled with a food program on them. After watching for a while I realized that there was a needle exchange event happening at that moment. So I looked a little closer at the patrons of the park at that time. The activity that was taking place during and after the people (did I mention they were wearing some sort of employment badge)left the area. It was very interesting. I am usually in that area at that time 3 to 4 times a month. The people that frequent the park are families, elderly, and a few folks sitting on the benches playing games. Rarely have I seen people there that have physical characteristics of one that may be a user.
Only today the park was the primary location for apparent users. There was commotion after the distribution. Various people headed to the facilities as a “group”. It was an odd vision to be sure. I was under the impression that the program is no longer exchanging in areas that children frequent. Where ever the exchange is moved to, they will follow. Why the park?
Today, while visiting in the area of Freeman Park I noticed a woman and man with bags that were labeled with a food program on them. After watching for a while I realized that there was a needle exchange event happening at that moment. So I looked a little closer at the patrons of the park at that time. The activity that was taking place during and after the people (did I mention they were wearing some sort of employment badge)left the area. It was very interesting. I am usually in that area at that time 3 to 4 times a month. The people that frequent the park are families, elderly, and a few folks sitting on the benches playing games. Rarely have I seen people there that have physical characteristics of one that may be a user.
Only today the park was the primary location for apparent users. There was commotion after the distribution. Various people headed to the facilities as a “group”. It was an odd vision to be sure. I was under the impression that the program is no longer exchanging in areas that children frequent. Where ever the exchange is moved to, they will follow. Why the park?