Community advocates are fighting to keep open a syringe-access program in Atlantic City. The program at Oasis Drop-In Center is one of seven in the state. City council members voted in July to shut it down over concerns of where it’s located. But community advocates say the program is a necessity and closing it would be a form of discrimination against people living with substance use disorders and who are at risk of HIV. A judge extended a temporary restraining order allowing Oasis to stay open until at least next month.
Councilman Kaleem Shabazz says it’s not the council’s intent to get rid of the program. They understand substance abuse is an ongoing issue in the city but they believe Atlantic City having one of only seven syringe-access programs in the state is quite a burden.
