Pueblo City Council reverses course – will allow needle exchange and fund new wellness center
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO)--The Southern Colorado Harm Reduction Association(SCHRA) was awarded nearly $1 million during a city council meeting Monday night to help pay for construction costs on a new wellness center in Bessemer.
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The City Council’s 5-2 vote Monday reverses a 3-3 vote where SCHRA was turned down by the city.
One Pueblo City Council President Heather Graham who voted against the needle exchange program both times said she does not approve of the program. Graham said some people who own businesses in the area spoke against the ordinance a couple months ago.
One of those business owners KRDO spoke with was Vincent Gagliano. He owns Gagliano's meat market in Bessemer. Gagliano said he does not support the needle exchange program.
"We need to support the ones that have a mission where it's not about, you know, giving them syringes or needles to help with their drug injection," said Gagliano.
Council also voted 5-2 on an amendment that removed a prohibition on the syringe exchange program at the new wellness center.
SCHRA runs a syringe distribution program on Thursday afternoons, where people can get clean needles and other supplies that can help spread harmful diseases like HIV.
SCHRA said the new wellness center will be up and running in 2024. The organization said it will be shutting down its current needle exchange program on E. Routt Ave. after the new center opens.
