Public health advocates say new restrictions on syringe service programs could increase the spread of infectious diseases, lead to more overdose deaths and make it harder for people struggling with substance use disorder to access critical care.
The comments come after voters in Lewiston passed Question 1, which requires a strict one-for-one syringe exchange, limits participants to 20 sterile syringes per day, prohibits mobile exchange units and restricts providers to one fixed location.
Dr. Paul Vinsel, a retired emergency and addiction medicine physician, explained that limiting sterile supplies increases the likelihood of people reusing or sharing needles, putting them at greater risk of HIV, hepatitis C and other infections.
“I think, from a public health standpoint, we can expect to see more infections in the emergency room,” Vinsel said. “I’m worried that we can have what happened in Bangor and have a real epidemic of HIV, which would be a real problem for public health and be very costly for the state.”
Tess Parks, policy director for the Maine Recovery Action Project, explained that syringe service programs also do much more than distribute sterile supplies. They connect people to overdose prevention resources, wound care, counseling, treatment referrals and other essential services. She noted Lewiston provider Spurwink made at least 7,000 referrals to such services last year.
“This ordinance takes a giant step backward in terms of public health approaches to our opioid crisis and how we respond to it,” Parks said.
Restricting access could discourage people from visiting the program altogether, she continued, particularly those without reliable transportation. Spurwink’s location on Lisbon Street is roughly a 45-minute walk from Kennedy Park.
“And when people are not engaging as much, that is unfortunately less access to referrals to meeting basic needs, healthcare, wound care, connections to counseling,” Parks said.
The restrictions come as Penobscot County experiences the largest HIV outbreak in Maine’s history, highlighting the potential consequences of limiting harm reduction services.
For residents looking to help their neighbors, advocates emphasized that resources remain available. Spurwink will continue operating under the new restrictions, and Parks encouraged people to carry naloxone, the medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, and connect people with local recovery and mental health services. Additional resources are available through Safe and Healthy Maine.
Vinsel said community members can also make a meaningful difference by challenging the stigma surrounding addiction.
“I think the best way to keep their neighbors safe is to be empathetic and not to stigmatize them,” he said. “I think that’s the most important thing.”
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