Santa Monica Passes Ordinance Saying City Funds Can’t Be Used for Needle Exchange Programs

Published on May 22, 2024

The Santa Monica City Council voted May 14 to revise contracts with two nonprofits indicating they cannot use city funds to distribute clean needles for drug addicts in the city’s parks or public spaces. Residents and business owners alike have complained to city officials about a needle exchange program in the city, which has been in place at three of its parks since 2019. The council voted 7 to 6 on an ordinance making the change to revise its contracts with the Venice Family Clinic and CLARE Matrix, which both provide homeless outreach and drug addiction services in Santa Monica at their physical locations in the city. The nonprofits also receive funding from the county, which are used for the needle-exchange program....

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