A Bangor church is now allowing syringe services to be offered in its building through a partnership with a harm reduction organization — and the city of Bangor may also consider providing needle exchange through its public health department.
The city’s public health director, Jennifer Gunderman, raised the idea of a city-run syringe service program at a City Council committee meeting Monday, saying the topic could be brought more formally to councilors in the future.
The expansion of syringe services in the city comes amid a growing HIV outbreak in Penobscot County that primarily affects people who inject drugs and are homeless. Public health experts in the state have emphasized providing clean needles as a key part of HIV prevention.
The Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor, located at 120 Park St., announced a pilot program Monday that will allow Needlepoint Sanctuary, a Bangor-based harm reduction organization, to conduct syringe exchange services at the church starting this week.
Needlepoint Sanctuary has already been providing other services, including HIV and hepatitis testing, wound care, naloxone and other health care services and referrals, at weekly “Muffin Monday” and “Taco Tuesday” events for the last two years, Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor spokesperson Benjamin Speed said in a statement Monday.
The church has approved a six-month pilot program allowing Needlepoint Sanctuary to add syringe services to those existing programs, according to the announcement.
“There is a clear community need right now, and our members recognized that offering this pilot was an appropriate and responsible way to help,” church council chair Zach Falcon said. “Working closely with NPS, we will ensure that the program supports public health without disrupting our church life or our neighbors.”
At the end of the six months, the church will decide whether to continue allowing syringe exchange services.
“This is a cautious and compassionate response to a very real public-health need in our community,” said Rev. Andrew Moeller, the church’s minister. “Bangor is facing one of the most significant HIV outbreaks in our state’s history, and our faith calls us to respond in ways that reduce harm, support our neighbors, and uphold the worth and dignity of every person.”
Needlepoint Sanctuary has been approved by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to operate syringe services at the church, according to the announcement.
The harm reduction nonprofit’s executive director, Willie Hurley, did not respond to a request for comment.
The Park Street location will be Needlepoint Sanctuary’s second syringe service site after it opened its own office on Ohio Street last year. The church is more centrally located near downtown Bangor.
Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness is the only other syringe service provider in the city, offering needle exchange services at its office on Hancock Street.
A potential city-run syringe service provider would add more options and flexibility with more city oversight, according to Gunderman. “That could allow us the ability to fill gaps, in a way where we have a little bit more control,” she said.
