Santa Monica Asks LA County to Move Needle Exchange out of City Parks

The Santa Monica City Council again asked Los Angeles County health officials to move a needle exchange program out of the city’s parks. The city’s previous council sent a letter to the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors in September 2022 asking for the program to be halted in and near the parks, but the program has continued despite city officials citing concerns over needles left behind. The council voted 4 to 3 on Tuesday passing a resolution that “strongly demands” the county move its needle distribution indoors and away from the city’s parks. The vote is nothing more than an ask though, since the county holds priority on such issues, according to the resolution....