Health Department to pilot rapid response team, expands disposal options to address discarded syringes

The San Francisco Department of Public Health told the Health Commission that it will hire a temporary three-person rapid response team to respond in real time to reports of discarded syringes and to provide outreach and referrals to people who use injection drugs.

Eileen Loughran, a community liaison in the department's Community Health Equity and Promotion branch, said the department uses 311 complaint data and community assessments to place outdoor disposal boxes, most of which are concentrated in the Tenderloin. She described a flyer and map distributed to commissioners that lists outdoor boxes and the community partners involved in disposal and cleanup.

"We are in the process of hiring and working on developing a rapid response team," Loughran said. "What that team will do is be out in the community, working on cleaning up the discarded syringes in real time and also being able to engage with drug users and emphasize the importance of safe disposal and be able to provide resources and referrals." (Eileen Loughran, Community Liaison)

Loughran said the department's funded syringe programs and clinic sites accept returns and that Walgreens participates in a bin-exchange program: if a participant returns a filled disposal bin the store will give an empty bin in exchange. The flyer shown to commissioners is intended for community meetings; a different document for program participants lists additional disposal locations.

Commissioners asked whether pharmacies, clinics or fire stations could be added as deposit points. Loughran said clinics are already disposal sites and that expanding relationships with the fire department and other first responders is being pursued.

Commissioner Carsnick and others raised operational questions about whether users will walk to outdoor boxes and whether placing many boxes could reduce improper disposal; Loughran said boxes can take about six months before regular use increases and noted a needed community siting process, which can slow placement.

The department said the rapid response team will initially be temporary and the positions will be annualized in the budget if demand requires expansion. No formal vote or contract was taken at the meeting; commissioners said they looked forward to updates as the program is implemented.

The commission heard the presentation as part of the director's report and asked staff to provide follow-up information; no public commenters requested to speak on the item at this meeting.