Pueblo syringe ban shows mixed results in service access and public health outcomes

The Pueblo City Council Work Session on April 21, 2025, focused on the impact of a recent syringe service program ban and its subsequent reversal. The meeting highlighted key findings from a study analyzing data from January to September 2024, which assessed the effects of the ban on public health services in the community.

The discussion began with a timeline of events surrounding the syringe service program, noting that the ban was voted on May 13, 2024, and went into effect on May 18, only to be overturned on June 6. The analysis utilized data from local syringe service programs and the Parks and Recreation Department to evaluate four main outcomes: participation in the syringe service program, naloxone kits distributed, syringes distributed, and public syringe litter collected.

Key findings revealed a significant decrease in participation in the syringe service program and naloxone distribution during the ban. Specifically, the number of participants served dropped sharply, with a total of approximately 1,150 fewer visits recorded than expected during the ban period. Naloxone distribution also fell, with around 900 fewer kits distributed compared to projected trends.

After the ban was lifted, there was an immediate increase in both participation and naloxone distribution; however, these figures did not return to pre-ban levels. Notably, while syringe distribution initially dropped to zero during the ban, it surged to 15,000 syringes per week after the ban was overturned, exceeding pre-ban distribution levels.

The analysis also examined discarded syringes, which showed a decrease in litter collected after the ban. Despite this, the overall reduction in syringe litter was not as significant as anticipated, with around 2,000 fewer discarded syringes collected than expected.

In conclusion, the findings raised concerns about the long-term effects of the ban on public health services, particularly regarding access to life-saving medications and support services. The council acknowledged the need for ongoing evaluation and discussion to address these public health challenges moving forward.