Public health advocates in Arizona are pushing back on a Phoenix City Council ordinance that would reduce the number of hours of health care available for people living in public parks.

The "Safe Medical Treatment in Parks" ordinance aims to eliminate needles in the parks and would also reduce other services. But health advocates counter that the measure could do more harm than good.

Brennin Palfrey, who works as senior manager with the virus outreach program called VEN Center, said the sweeping measure would affect more than what's intended.

"All available medical data shows that syringe service programs or needle exchange programs – that they reduce the amount of needles that are found in public parks," Palfrey said, "that they are not the ones causing it.

The ordinance would establish guidelines and requirements for medical treatment, prohibit the sale or exchange of syringes, and regulate food distribution activities in Phoenix city parks.

Palfrey contended that people in parks who need medical attention will see a drastic reduction in services if public street medicine teams are eliminated or their hours are curtailed.

"They're out there meeting this need that is happening 24/7," Palfrey said. "These individuals in these parks aren't going to go away if we do. The need is there. They're restricting it to 6% of the month for a need that is there 24/7."

Palfrey said reducing services will also put an increased demand on police departments to monitor park activity. The Phoenix City Council is currently taking public input and is scheduled to vote on the ordinance May 6.

Source: Public News Service