GF Syringe Service Program draws opposition

The Grand Forks Syringe Service program has come under criticism as of late.

In December the Grand Forks council fell one vote short of discontinuing the needle exchange effort. This week the Grand Forks County Commission voted to recommend the city eliminate the program.

Critics say by providing needles…Narcan…bandages…and condoms it enables and condones intravenous drug use.

The Health Department’s Michael Dulutz says Grand Forks is not alone in offering the service.  “Grand Forks…Fargo…Valley City…Mandan…and Minot plus a couple more in the pipeline.”

While much of the success regarding the “exchange” is anecdotal health officials say Hepatitis C cases have been cut by more than half since 2019. Health Director Tess Moeller says the department relies on national data to help determine results.

Moeller told commission members this week that there could be some unintended consequences by eliminating the program.  “Talking with state funders they feel such programs are an avenue to treatment programs.  By the local legislators saying no to this program it’s cutting off an avenue to those treatment programs and the state funders could be less likely to invest in our community.”

The commission voted 3-2 to recommend the program be discontinued.