Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Receive a presentation and report as a requirement of and in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 121349.3, detailing the status of the Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition’s (SHRC) syringe exchange program authorized by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH); and
2) Receive a follow-up presentation from the Executive Director of SHRC to provide information about how SHRC operates with the purpose of reducing the incidence of blood-borne pathogens and other harms associated with drug use in the County.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
As part of California’s efforts to prevent the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other blood-borne diseases, Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 121349 was authored to enable the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to authorize syringe exchange services in any location where CDPH determines that the conditions exist for rapid spread of HIV, viral hepatitis, or other blood-borne diseases. CDPH then requires annual reporting by authorized programs, which may apply to have their authorizations for operation renewed periodically if they continue to meet CDPH standards. Beginning in 2020, CDPH determined that El Dorado County continues to be at risk for blood-borne pathogens and other harms associated with drug use and that Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition (SHRC) meets the state requirements to address the identified public health need. In accordance with the requirements of HSC 121349, CDPH authorized SHRC to operate syringe exchange services in El Dorado County. In 2021, CDPH assessed SHRC and extended SHRC’s authorization to continue to operate in El Dorado County.
In addition to providing services intended to directly reduce incidence of blood-borne disease transmission in people who inject drugs, SHRC provides referrals to organizations who offer services such as counseling, screening, and trea...
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