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OC Supes Will Fight New Needle Exchanges In County

A view of the homeless encampment in Santa Ana’s Plaza of the Flags. U.S. District Judge David Carter has told Orange County it needs to help relocate people living in the area.
A homeless encampment in Santa Ana’s Plaza of the Flags earlier this year. Dirty needles are among the issues as Orange County grapples with a growing homeless population.
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Aaron Mendelson/KPCC
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At a heated emergency meeting Friday, Orange County Supervisors pledged to fight a needle exchange program intended by the state to stem the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C. With the new OC mobile exchange authorized to open as early Monday, the supervisors voted unanimously to begin legal action against the effort.

Supervisor Lisa Bartlett called state health officials' announcement this week that they would allow exchanges in Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Orange and Santa Ana "a recipe for disaster."

Read more on LAist: OC Supes Ask Why Needles Should Be Free When Residents Can't Even Get Plastic Bags

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