San Diego and OC Needle Exchange

[sprawlnod (OP)]

Hi all!  I've been away from the site for a while, but I'm glad to see it's still going . Thought I'd share some info on the SoCal scene. We have seen a flood of homeless in the past 2 years that keeps growing. Housing prices throughout SoCal are obscene. Not just coastal LA and SF anymore - everything within 20 miles to the ocean is unaffordable for most unless you live somewhere life-threatening. If you want a house for under $1 million, you'll be in a run-down, crappy neighborhood. Can't get an apartment for under $1500/month anywhere and expect to pay $2500 if you want 2 bedrooms - more for a decent neighborhood.  Governments are finally opening their eyes, but no solutions are being implemented yet. However, there have been outbreaks of Hep C and other viruses, so needle exchanges are finally dependable.

San Diego has a mobile needle exchange that is out at least 3 nights per week at regular locations: http://www.fhcsd.org/substance-use-disorder-services/safe-point-san-diego/  More info: https://my211.force.com/s/service/a1j41000000f9iXAAQ/safe-point-san-diego-syringe-exchange-program

As with much of the country, Fentanyl is popping up in other drugs and there have been hundreds of overdose deaths from street drugs laced with Fent - 3 times the rate of the rest of California (ftp://www.kusi.com/deaths-surge-from-fentanyl-laced-drugs-in-san-diego/) - so be careful! Because it's so bad, the needle exchange has test strips so you can test your gear for Fent, They are free, so ask for them when you get pins. They also have free Narcan (but they often run out so keep asking).

I haven't seen it, but apparently the Fentanyl isn't just boosting heroin, but is also being put in all kinds of drugs, like meth & coke! This doesn't make sense to me and I wonder if its just a scare tactic. Anyone seen Fent in their uppers? WTF?

I don't know as much about Orange County, but the government has been fighting the needle exchanges. (ftp://ftp:://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-me-needle-exchange-hearing-20181001-story.html/)  They are up and running atm, but we'll know more in November if they'll survive.  Not sure about the exact location, but if you find the homeless camp near the Civic Center, you'll probably be able to find it or ask someone.

[Chip]

repped for being so community minded !

[sprawlnod (OP)]

I haven't seen it, but apparently the Fentanyl isn't just boosting heroin, but is also being put in all kinds of drugs, like meth & coke! This doesn't make sense to me and I wonder if its just a scare tactic. Anyone seen Fent in their uppers? WTF?

Ooops. I put in the wrong link. This is the one that quotes a DEA agent about finding Fent in Meth & Coke: https://www.kpbs.org/news/2018/sep/24/soaring-fentanyl-related-overdoses-prompts-new-san/

I don't buy  it. Why?

[LadyKalma]

Sounds like media scare tactics to me. I mean I guess theoretically one can cut uppers with fent,but why? I think they're just trying to get people to be scared of all drugs cause of the "evil fent"

[Chip]

I have published numerous posts about Fent turning up in everything and as the story goes, the Mexicans had loads of illicit Fent that was brought in from China from a while ago so they were moving it indiscriminantely and perhaps hopefully hooking their customers.

I dunno but it pays to get a testing kit.

Be safe.