Some oppose planned Carrick needle exchange

Plans for a needle exchange program in Carrick are facing some neighborhood dissent.

A petition delivered Tuesday to Pittsburgh City Council appears to list more than 600 opponents.

Last month, the Allegheny County Health Department board gave unanimous approval to the plans to provide a needle exchange, naloxone distribution and addiction case managers on Thursday afternoons outside Spencer United Methodist Church at 117 Spencer Ave.

Council still needs to pass a “Will of Council” — effectively an endorsement — to enable the services from Prevention Point Pittsburgh, said Aaron Arnold, executive director at the nonprofit, which helps injection-drug users. Advocates have said the effort counts broad community support and would help the neighborhood, where overdoses have proliferated.

Needle exchanges accept dirty needles and distribute clean ones, reducing the transmission of infections, according to supporters. They say many addicts reached by the service go on to recover.

Petitioners argue the offering would be better situated in a commercial area. Councilman Anthony Coghill said he postponed the Will of Council so he can organize a meeting and address concerns. He supports Prevention Point’s plan.

“I would put it in my own driveway if I could,” said Mr. Coghill, who lives in Beechview. Prevention Point has other sites in East Liberty, Perry Hilltop and the Hill District.