IPSWICH – The Board of Health wishes to inform the community that it will be discussing the possibility of approving a syringe service program for the Town of Ipswich next month.
The Board has scheduled a meeting for Monday, May 9, at 5:30 p.m. in Town Hall Room C. The public is invited to attend.
Susan Gould Coviello, Executive Director of the North Shore Health Project in Gloucester, requested the meeting with the Board. The Project has served communities on the North Shore since 1988, and has operated this program in Gloucester since 2016.
Research shows that comprehensive syringe service programs are safe, effective, and cost-saving, do not increase illegal drug use or crime, and play an important role in reducing the transmission of viral hepatitis, HIV, and other infections.
As of July 2016, boards of health in Massachusetts may approve establishment of a syringe service program. As of November, 41 communities across the state have adopted such a program.
Syringe service programs seek to:
- Reduce overdose deaths and other early deaths, due to substance misuse
- Increase knowledge about safer substance use
- Reduce sharing of substance use equipment
- Reduce the spread of infectious diseases
“We encourage the community to attend this meeting and learn more about the program,” Board of Health Chair Susan C. Hubbard said. “Public input will be important to the Board’s deliberations.”
Should the Board wish to further consider a syringe service program, it will schedule a public hearing for a future date.
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