EPD launched fact finding investigation on HACHR based on ongoing complaints

Based on ongoing complaints from concerned neighbors and businesses surrounding HACHR's operations on 3rd Street, Eureka, I directed the Eureka Police Department to launch a fact finding investigation. The press release below from the City of Eureka is the result along with a letter to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in opposition to their bid for re-certification. Click the attached link to view they City's letter of opposition as well as a detailed investigative memorandum summarizing the results of our fact finding mission.
--EPD Chief Steve Watson

PRESS RELEASE:

On October 8, 2018, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) authorized the Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction’s Syringe Exchange Program (SEP) in Eureka, California for a two-year period. The CDPH is now deciding whether to reauthorize HACHR’s SEP in Eureka. The CDPH asked the City of Eureka to provide input on the re-authorization process . On August 7, 2020, the City of Eureka submitted a letter and memorandum in opposition to HACHR’s application for reauthorization. The City of Eureka is in favor of SEPs that comply with the letter and intent of the law, as evidenced by the City Council’s Resolution in Support of HACHR in 2016. However, the City cannot support the SEP as operated by HACHR at this time. The City’s opposition is based on its investigation into ongoing concerns about HACHR’s operations at its 3rd Street location. Based on neighbors’ complaints, the Eureka Police Department launched a fact-finding investigation, the details of which were forwarded to the CDPH and are linked to this release. Years of effort by the City and the community to work with HACHR have been ineffective. It is the City’s stance that HACHR has not, in good faith, responded to the community’s legitimate concerns about HACHR’s operations, and that HACHR’s SEP is not operating in compliance with state and local law. The City of Eureka’s letter and memorandum in opposition to HACHR’s SEP reauthorization can be found here. Additional information will be released by the City Attorney as it becomes available.

 https://transfer.ci.eureka.ca.gov:5252/fsdownload/NGHkHmJma/HACHR

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