IDHW will conduct an internal review of Idaho’s syringe exchange programs after police served a search warrant at the offices of the Idaho Harm Reduction Project.
BOISE, Idaho — This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is launching an internal review of contracts with Idaho’s syringe exchange programs after police served a search warrant at the offices of the Idaho Harm Reduction Project this week.
The Boise Police Department said the search, which occurred at the harm reduction project's Boise and Caldwell offices, was related to items pertaining to the use of methamphetamine, opioids and crack cocaine. Police said that syringes were not sought as part of the warrant. An investigation into the group has been ongoing since November.
The Idaho Harm Reduction Project said on Instagram this week that the Department of Health and Welfare knew about the harm reduction project's public health work and that it looked forward “to this issue being resolved.” An attempt to reach individuals at the Harm Reduction Project was unsuccessful.
“The department does not condone or support the use of illegal drugs or those who profit from it,” DHW Interim Director Dean Cameron said in a news release. “Substance use has a pervasive and devastating impact on Idaho families and children. The department supports all efforts to protect Idahoans from the impacts of illicit drug use.”
The Department of Health and Welfare said in a letter to Gov. Brad Little that it would look at what products and services were funded, review oversight of the syringe programs, review invoices for the harm reduction project and request all payments be held. Post-review, payments to the Idaho Harm Reduction Project have to be approved by the interim director.
The organization was previously contracted with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to distribute Narcan kits across the state.
The department will also identify any employees who “may have approved or had knowledge of the alleged activities,” of the Idaho Harm Reduction Project.
“Governor, thank you for your support and desire to protect Idahoans from the harmful effects of drug use,” Cameron wrote. “We join with you in that effort. I will report back the findings of our internal review.”
The Idaho Harm Reduction Project defines harm reduction as a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use, according to its website.
“Harm Reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs.”
Harm reduction has been a controversial but growing movement aimed at engaging directly with people who use drugs to help with things like stopping overdoses and disease transmission. For example, NPR reported that some Canadian doctors prescribe opioids to patients to prevent them from using street drugs laced with deadly chemicals.
This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press, read more on IdahoPress.com.
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