California

California County DA Responds to State Lawsuit to Overturn County’s Ban on Needle-Exchange Program

“This is disastrously dangerous, and I am furious at our state leaders,” he said. “Don’t come into our county and double down on your failed policy.”
California County DA Responds to State Lawsuit to Overturn County’s Ban on Needle-Exchange Program
El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson address members of the press in Placerville, Calif., on Sept. 19, 2014. AP Photo/The Sacramento Bee, Randall Benton
Jill McLaughlin
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El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson said he is “furious” at California leaders, after learning March 19 the state has filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the county’s ban on the state’s needle exchange program.

The state sued El Dorado County and the city of Placerville, located in northeastern California at the base of South Lake Tahoe, for prohibiting a state program that distributes clean syringes for drug use to addicts and the homeless population.

Jill McLaughlin
Jill McLaughlin
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Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.