MORGANTOWN — The City Council voted unanimously on Nov. 25 to approve a letter of support for the Light Project syringe services program, a harm‑reduction clinic operated by HealthRight.

Laura Jones, HealthRight’s executive director, told council the Light Project celebrated 10 years of harm‑reduction work this August and is seeking city and county approval to continue operations and to reauthorize activity at its current site and a planned move to 10 Scott Avenue pending provisional behavioral‑health licensure. Jones said staff additions include Program Manager Michael Hunt and a nurse practitioner who provides wound care and medical referrals during clinic hours.

Jones reported performance metrics: an 87% syringe return rate this year (up from 79% last year), about 25 Hep C tests recently with five positives, distribution of roughly 3,000 doses of naloxone (Narcan) last year, and new‑intake patterns showing most participants come from Monongalia County with some from Preston and Marion counties. "Our goal is somewhere between 85 and 90, so we're doing very well with that," Jones said of the syringe return rate.

Councilors asked whether declines in returns and distributions reflect more people entering treatment, weather effects on seasonality, and changes to the program’s registration requirements. Jones noted the program is no longer completely anonymous (an ID requirement implemented in 2021), that winter months typically see lower counts, and that statewide programs are under funding pressure because federal dollars cannot be used to purchase syringes.

Councilor Michael moved and Councilor Abigail seconded the motion to approve the letter of support; the motion passed 7‑0.

The letter of support does not change the program’s licensing status; Jones said HealthRight has applied for provisional behavioral‑health licensure and is awaiting a site visit from the Office of Health Facilities Licensure before moving to the new address.