District Attorney Forces Trial in a Stand Against Syringe Exchange: Volunteers Back in the News

An update to the Mono Park syringe exchange case printed in today's Modesto Bee Local section. We appreciate the Bee's continued interest in the case. We also really hope they will take their inquiry to the next level at some point in the future and do some really comprehensive pieces about SEPs in the valley. As you will read in the article, part of the DA's new "deal" involves the volunteers agreeing to stay away from Mono Park. Ironically, this was just one day after a ridiculous number of syringes (65+) and other drug parapernalia were cleaned up in the area by Off the Streets volunteers. Seven volunteers spent but an hour and a half over only two blocks to yield these finds. It makes us all wonder how many more we left behind still to be found. The Modesto Bee article also did not mention another key part to the clean up in the Mono Park area which was the community outreach and education component. A volunteer went door to door and spoke to people on the street about the laws, educating their kids, and knowing what to do and who to call if one finds a used syringe. An informational handout was also provided to those living in the area. The Mono Park volunteers were very upset by the District Attorney's offer, turned it down without question, and still remain confused by the whole turn of events. Stay away from Mono Park? It was insulting and sad. Tears from Tribuzio were of disbelief. Off the Streets members are also perplexed. According to one volunteer, "How can you tell people not to help when the need is so great and no one else is doing anything?"

Volunteers who attended the clean-up on Sunday took part in no questionable behavior whatsoever to encourage such a reaction from the DAs office. Neighbors welcomed the volunteers and actually pointed them to specific areas that needed syringes picked up. For the DA to send this message to a group of people who actually care and are doing something positive for the community is disturbing. And for the record, since the Modesto Needle Exchange was shut down by the Sheriff's Department in April no needle exchanging has taken place. Disease continues to spread and will until authorization is realized.

Stanislaus County Syringe Exchange Issue & "Mono Park 2" In the News

I am the kind of person that doesn't always believe what I read. Especially in the newspaper. Even more especially online. I have a keen awareness of the fact that a news article, a special report at 6, or an online news brief can only offer so much of the truth. It's all about perception and spin - and some situations are spun more than others. When 2 volunteers of the Modesto Needle Exchange were busted in an elaborate undercover sting operation by the Sheriff in April, the blogging world started to buzz. Some thought they knew the whole story (even though they didn't), independent publications were sharing their piece. People were talking, the word started to spread. The "Mono Park 2" was born. Surreal. It's hard to sit back and accept some of the things being spit out there in the cyberworld. The volunteers have been judged, labeled, lied about, and called names. The truth has been skewed, important facts left out, and biases have been painfully evident - on both sides of the issue. At one point during the past 6 months they had to stop paying attention. It hurt. It was frustrating. It was stressful. And it didn't seem fair. More recently, the Modesto Bee has joined in telling the Bee's version of the story. Merrill Balassone is great and has been very supportive. And having the Bee want to put a piece on the front page is a pretty big deal right now. Some think it was a decent article, others thoght is was weak, abd others still thought that it painted the volunteers in the wrong light. Even though we did have some problems with the article - how things were worded, the weak title, and all of the important stuff that was missing - the Bee did the right thing by deciding to run the piece front and center. It was a good start for raising some awareness and stirring some debate. The Bee will do follow-up on the volunteers' legal struggles and will also watch what Off the Streets does in the future. Some of the facts were slightly incorrect, but the Drug War Chronicle also did a write-up. It was a pretty good piece - and really, every ally and every bit of media we can get counts for something. The more people who know about the issue the better. Click on the links below to read some of what has recently been written about syringe exchange in Stanislaus County. The Modesto Bee - October 25, 2009 Drug War Chronicle - October 23, 2009 With more media attention coming up, Off the Streets will post the links for you here as they are released.