A health services organization is being chosen to provide a needle exchange program in Springfield.
The state health department has selected city-based Tapestry Health to start the syringe-access program, with a target date of December 1st.
After years of controversy over the proposal, Springfield Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris approved the launch of the initiative earlier this year when the city's Public Health Council declared the opioid-abuse crisis in Springfield to be a public health emergency.
The Springfield Mayor has said in the past that he would only favor needle exchange if it included more treatment beds.
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