The California Department of Public Health rescinded its authorization of a needle exchange program in Santa Ana, which was given the green light in August despite city leaders’ objections, and now the application from a nonprofit seeking its approval is pending, according to an Aug. 30 announcement from the city.
The Harm Reduction Institute, which offers free opioid reversal medication and overdose training to individuals and nonprofits, is seeking approval for the needle exchange program from the department’s Public Health Office of AIDS, which works with organizations throughout the state to combat HIV and AIDS.
