A volunteer disposes a used syringe of heroin. (Sutanta Aditya/AFP/Getty Images) drugs, needle, exchangeA volunteer disposes a used syringe of heroin. (Sutanta Aditya/AFP/Getty Images)
SANTA CRUZ (KCBS) — A controversial needle exchange program has Santa Cruz residents expressing outrage and frustration, and has come under fire by those who say it needs better monitoring.
Residents claim discarded needles have become so widespread that they’ve become a safety issue.
READ MORE: San Jose Police: Smash-And-Grab Thieves Target Eastridge Mall Jewelry Store; 4 Suspects SoughtAnalicia Cube, founder of Take Back Santa Cruz, said the program for IV drug users is a way of enabling.
“The people of the city of Santa Cruz are not going to let this go. They want to come first. They’re sick and tired of all of these excuses and enabling and all of these things that go on with crime and drugs in the city of Santa Cruz,” Cube said.
Equally outraged is Debra Elston, who heads the organization, Santa Cruz Neighbors.
