A syringe redemption pilot program has shown progress in reducing needle waste in Portland according to a press release issued by the city this afternoon.  City staff developed an operational improvement plan to decrease the number of improperly discarded syringes, improve the efforts that collect data and the quality of the data to improve the accuracy of city information, and the ability to respond to community concerns regarding safety.  This plan was developed following an increase in syringe litter, especially in Bayside, East Bayside and Parkside.

The syringe redemotion program has demonstrated a substantial increase in the number of syringes returned to the city’s needle exchange.  In the four weeks prior to the program, 47,520 syringes were returned across all exchanges, compared to 91,185 syringes in the four weeks after the pilot program.

“At this time, Public Health staff is confident that the objectives detailed in our action plan are contributing to an overall reduction in the improper disposal of syringes in Portland,” said Bridget Rauscher, Portland Public Health Director.  “Most of the identified strategis hae been implemented and results are yielding improvement……..”

The syringe redemption pilot program is funded by the city’s Opioid Settlement Funds.  It operates Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 am – 11:am and 2:00 – 3:00 pm at the Public Health Clinic at 39 Forest Avenue.  Eligible syringe exchange clients can receive ten cents per used syringe up to $20./week (200 syringes).