BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The Howard Center has announced it will close its Safe Recovery Program site on Clark Street by the end of June this year.
The site, which has already been around for two decades, has drawn concerns from residents in the area over the increased presence of needle litter on the streets of downtown Burlington. A recent WCAX investigation found that out of the almost one million needles given out by the exchange program, only half a million were returned.
In a statement to Chittenden County legislators, Howard Center CEO Sandra McGuire said that the decision was made out of a need to reallocate limited resources, not because of any failure of the program.
“This work is data-driven, science-backed, and proven to save lives while reducing injury and disease transmission… these services have helped keep countless people safe and alive, while serving as an important bridge to treatment and recovery. We are deeply proud of that legacy,” said McGuire.
She also says the Howard Center will now be prioritizing substance use treatment, mental health treatment, and developmental disabilities services.
