What once was the largest sterile syringe provider in Bangor has lost its certification to continue operating as such.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday revoked the Health Equity Alliance’s state syringe provider certification. The decision applies to the organization’s Bangor, Rockland, Ellsworth and Deer Isle locations, according to the Maine CDC’s letter.
The ruling comes more than two months after the state suspended the organization’s needle distribution certification because it failed to follow the state’s syringe exchange policy, lacked the appropriate syringe service supplies and inaccurately collected data, among other violations, according to a Nov. 4, 2024, letter the state sent to the Health Equity Alliance, commonly referred to as HEAL.
The state came to its decision after inspecting the organization, reviewing documents HEAL was required to submit and interviewing employees, according to the letter.
HEAL’s remediation plan “lacked timelines, action steps, and accountability for implementation regarding data collection, staff training, enforcing the state syringe exchange policy, staff qualifications and supply maintenance,” Lindsay Hammes, spokesperson for the Maine CDC, said.
The Maine CDC is in touch with Penobscot County’s two remaining state-certified syringe service providers, Wabanaki Public Health and Needlepoint Sanctuary, to ensure clients have access to the services they need, Hammes said.
“HEAL is disappointed the CDC is unable to support HEAL’s mission and drive to meet the needs of the marginalized people and communities we serve,” Josh D’Alessio, HEAL’s executive director, said Wednesday. “We look forward to appealing the decision with as much support as we can assemble to meet the needs of the communities we serve.”
State-certified syringe providers distribute sterile materials to people who use drugs and also collect used needles. That work prevents people who inject drugs from reusing or sharing supplies, which can spread bloodborne diseases, which is especially crucial amid an active HIV outbreak in Penobscot County that has so far resulted in 14 confirmed cases.
HEAL furloughed most of its staff and closed its Bangor community center after the Maine CDC suspended its license in November.
Six current and former HEAL employees spoke to the Bangor Daily News about the organization’s shortages of syringes and other supplies, which jeopardized the region’s most vulnerable residents.
D’Alessio credited previous supply outages to delayed payments from the state that the organization needs to purchase the supplies, as well as supply chain issues.
HEAL’s license suspension lasted until Dec. 16, 2024, at which time D’Alessio had to submit a remediation plan to the Maine CDC.
In his remediation plan, D’Alessio wrote the organization would perform more frequent and thorough training with staff and create a new database to track and report the services the organization offers. He also planned to better manage HEAL’s inventory of harm reduction materials.
HEAL has 30 days to request an administrative hearing to appeal the Maine CDC’s decision. The organization can also reapply to be a state-certified syringe service provider.
The state’s decision only affects HEAL’s syringe exchange program. The organization is continuing its medical case management services in Bangor, Presque Isle, Machias, and Ellsworth.
