The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is hosting a community meeting on March 29 from 9am to 11am at the Zev Yaroslavsky Family Support Center in Van Nuys, CA. The purpose of the meeting is to gather feedback from residents on the harm reduction syringe services programs. The meeting will be held both in person and virtually through Zoom.

Seats for in-person attendance will be limited and given on a first-come, first-served basis. Virtual attendees can register for the meeting using the provided link. Those unable to attend in person or who wish to provide comments ahead of time can submit remarks through a webform.

The issue of harm reduction syringe services programs was recently discussed in a City Council meeting, resulting in a 4-3 split vote expressing disapproval of Los Angeles County’s implementation of the program in Santa Monica. Andrew Thomas, CEO of DTSM, expressed his satisfaction with the upcoming community meeting and anticipates that it will address concerns raised by residents regarding the program. He expects that the discussion will continue from the recent City Council meeting to this community meeting.