After one loses certification, Bangor’s 2 remaining syringe service providers say need for safe drug use supplies is increasing | Local News [Video]

BANGOR — According to the Maine CDC, 1 of the Bangor area’s 3 syringe service providers has had their certification revoked.

The Health Equity Alliance, a harm reduction organization also known as HEAL, cannot currently provide clean and sterile needles to Maine drug users.

Maine CDC and DHHS spokesperson Lindsey Hames says the state revoked the organization’s syringe certification a few days ago, after HEAL’s recertification materials reportedly did not meet standards for the state syringe exchange policy.

The materials also “lacked timelines, action steps, accountability for implementation regarding data collection, staff training, enforcing the State syringe exchange policy, staff qualifications, and supply maintenance,” Hames explained. 

The CDC revoked HEAL’s certifications for their Bangor, Ellsworth, Rockland and Deer Isle sites. Information about any other sites is unknown. 

The organization can still request an appeal or apply for recertification in the future. A request for comment was not immediately returned by anyone at …