Santa Monica Asks LA County to Move Needle Exchange out of City Parks

City officials say syringes left behind pose a danger, but program advocates say they must meet drug users where they are.

A homeless man sits in Reed Park of Santa Monica, Calif., on June 2, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

The Santa Monica City Council again asked Los Angeles County health officials to move a needle exchange program out of the city’s parks.

The city’s previous council sent a letter to the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors in September 2022 asking for the program to be halted in and near the parks, but the program has continued despite city officials citing concerns over needles left behind.