ESCANABA — Public Health, Delta and Menominee Counties (PHDM) has introduced “New Points,” a syringe service program providing access to sterile syringes, needles and clean paraphernalia for people who are addicted to street drugs.

New Points was introduced in Delta and Menominee counties last week. Originally, the program was scheduled to come to these communities at an earlier date.

“It got put off because of COVID,” New Points Project Coordinator Mary Claire Massi-Lee said.

The program, which is funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and NorthCare Network, is intended to reduce health risks for individuals and communities while helping people who are addicted to drugs move towards treatment and recovery. By providing sterile syringes and other materials — as well as safe disposal for used needles and syringes — PHDM aims to discourage the sharing of used equipment and to lower the transmission of infectious diseases.

In the program’s earliest days of local operation, Massi-Lee said things had went well.

“We’re seeing people come in — they’re very thankful that this service is being offered,” she said.

In a press release about New Points, it was stated the opioid crisis has led to a significant increase in infectious diseases. According to research done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the increase is largely tied to drug users sharing needles. In 2018 and 2019, more than 60 percent of hepatitis C cases in the counties of Delta and Menominee reported intravenous drug use.

The CDC also said that providing access to comprehensive syringe service programs can help reduce the spread of these diseases.

“PHDM offers many of the services provided by a comprehensive (syringe service program), therefore making it a beneficial program under the Public Health umbrella. If a participant is in need of another service offered by Public Health, a connection to this program will be made. It is an easy transition for the coordination of care,” Health Officer Michael Snyder was quoted as saying in the press release.

Program participants will be offered vaccinations; testing opportunities for diseases like HIV, hepatitis C and sexually transmitted diseases; education on safer choices; and referrals to medical, mental health and recovery services.

Additionally, the press release claimed the program can help reduce drug use by encouraging people to enter drug treatment and stop injecting drugs, reduce drug overdose deaths and reduce needlestick injuries among law enforcement officers in the area. It said syringe service programs do not increase crime or IV drug use.

Still, Delta County Sheriff Ed Oswald said he had mixed feelings about New Points.

“We meet a little bit differently on this,” he said.

He was specifically concerned the program could end up encouraging drug use in the community.

“I really urge people not to do drugs, period,” Oswald said.

On the other hand, he recognized the program could lead to some public health benefits.

“I do understand how they’re trying to keep people safe,” Oswald said.

New Points walk-in services are available on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Menominee and on Thursdays from 1 to 4:30 p.m. in Escanaba. For more information on the program, contact Massi-Lee at 906-789-8130.