Pa. officials call for expansion of syringe service programs

Officials on Thursday advocated for an expansion of syringe service programs in Pennsylvania to provide safe needles to people using drugs.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are the only places in the commonwealth that have ordinances to allow syringe service programs to operate, said Acting Health Secretary Denise Johnson. She and other leaders called for legislation to be passed in Harrisburg that would allow such programs to aide people throughout Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is one of 10 states in the nation that does not have legislation to allow such programs.

Acting Health Secretary Denise Johnson called for a statewide expansion of syringe service programs. pic.twitter.com/1WsvBqk49x

— Julia Felton (@JuliaFelton16) June 2, 2022

“Because of that lack of permission for these services, we don’t have access to the federal funds that could help with these services,” Johnson explained.

Bills in the state House of Representatives and Senate would allow statewide expansion of syringe service programs, and Johnson joined Pittsburgh officials in urging lawmakers to pass the measures.

“We know that we have to use every single tool in our toolbox to address this issue,” Johnson said. “Individuals who are struggling with addiction are worthy of our care, of our compassion, of our respect. We need to save their lives and give them an opportunity into treatment.”

Individuals who use syringe service programs are five times more likely to enter treatment, she said, and there is a “dramatic decrease” in new cases of hepatitis and HIV with the initiatives in place.

Many of the gains made in the fight against the overdose epidemic were wiped out during the covid pandemic, she said, making it imperative to renew efforts to assist people with drug addictions.

Syringe service programs not only help people to find safe needles, but they also can be a stepping stone for people to find assistance with housing, food or counseling, said Dr. Debra Bogen, Allegheny County’s health director.

“Syringe service programs go a really long way,” she said, touting also efforts to distribute Narcan, which can reverse the effects of an overdose.

Such initiatives also help to “destigmatize the needle,” City Councilman Bobby Wilson said, and allow local leaders to form relationships with people who struggle with addiction.

“The needle is a tool to expand that conversation, to peel back the curtain to understand what’s broken with our system,” he said.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said he is “extremely proud” that Pittsburgh operates a syringe services initiative, “because we know it saves yet.”

“Together we can heal our community,” he said. “But it’s going to take us all.”