State, public‑health and local providers warn Lewiston ordinance changes would limit syringe‑services and risk public health

Lewiston — State public‑health officials, the governor’s opioid response director and local harm‑reduction providers urged Lewiston city councillors on Tuesday to avoid ordinance changes they said would restrict syringe service programs (SSPs) and could worsen infectious‑disease transmission and overdose risk.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Spurwink and local program operators described SSPs as “bridges” to treatment and other services and said policies that limit syringe distribution, impose strict geographic limits or cap the number of certified SSPs would make programs less accessible to people who inject drugs. “We believe this ordinance to modify how SSP services are delivered here in Lewiston would be severely detrimental to the persons that are in need of the service here in Lewiston,” Anne Seitz, director of the infectious disease prevention program at Maine CDC, told the council.

Why it matters: Lewiston officials are weighing a proposed municipal ordinance aimed at reducing needle litter. State and provider witnesses said needle disposal and harm reduction are distinct problems that can be tackled together, but that restricting access to SSPs—particularly through a return to strict 1‑for‑1 exchange rules or geographic limits—would hinder referrals into treatment, viral‑hepatitis and HIV testing, wound care, Narcan distribution and other services that reduce community transmission and save lives.

State and provider presentations Gordon Smith, director of opioid response in the governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the…