How Philadelphia’s Needle Exchange Program Is Emboldening Drug Use
During a recent trip to Philadelphia, I was attacked for reporting on the weekly needle exchange that takes place on Kensington Avenue. I wanted to come to Philly to highlight the reality of progressive policy in action. However, I was not prepared for how horrific this city really is.
Upon arrival, I could immediately sense that this was an extremely dangerous area. Groups of drug addicts frequent every corner and exposed needles are everywhere. It only took about 10 minutes of walking down Kensington before I was able to actively watch a drug user mix what he shared was a blend of fentanyl and cocaine with a clean needle.
“I’m mixing cocaine and fentanyl together to produce what’s called a speedball, and it basically causes you to have a more intense rush,” he shared.
A woman, interested in our conversation stopped by to listen and began mixing together what she shared was “fentanyl and tranq.” Tranq is short for the horse or elephant tranquilizer users are shooting up.
She also had brand new needles and I wanted to know where she received them. Speaking to drug users on Kensington Avenue, I kept hearing the same name: “Prevention Point.” After some quick research, I discovered that this was the organization handing out free needles.
The Prevention Point Philadelphia (PPP) program boasts its “harm reduction” services which they describe as, “policies, programs, and practices that aim to reduce the harm associated with drug use in people unable or unwilling to stop.” They also provide services such as free breakfast and coffee every day, a wound care clinic, free medical care, and most notably their “Syringe Service Program.”
Every Tuesday and Friday, they have their needle exchange, in which drug users can bring in dirty, used needles and exchange them for sterile ones. While advocates for the program share that it reduces HIV rates and “reduces harm” the users of this program share a very different story. Not only can you find exposed dirty needles all over the streets but a user of the program explained how addicts are actually using it to fund their addiction.
“They’ll give you whatever you take in,” he explained. “Say you take 100 needles in, they give you 200, they’ll give you double. As profit everyone’s doing it as profit, you go out here, you sell two needles for one dollar, that’s how you get your high then.”
He then went on to talk about how Prevention Point is working outside of the law, “because the needle exchange in Pennsylvania is illegal,” he shared.
It is still illegal to possess hard drugs or drug paraphernalia in the state of Pennsylvania. However, Prevention Point explains that, “in 1992, after lobbying efforts by the members of PPP, Mayor Ed Rendell issued an Executive Order (4-92), legalizing the possession of syringes in Philadelphia and overriding the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, which are still in existence today.”
Users who receive needles from Prevention Point are given a card alongside their needles that authorizes them to, “be in possession of syringes in the city of Philadelphia.” The program is funded in majority by government contracts (aka taxpayer dollars) and Philadelphia locals share that Kensington has been abandoned by local leadership.
After reporting on Skid Row in LA, San Francisco, New York City and Portland, I would say that Philadelphia is home to the most horrific streets that I have ever seen. Unsanitary conditions, the open drug market and the needle-filled streets are like nothing I have ever seen.
