BURLINGTON, Vt.- โคThe howard center, a Vermont recovery center, will discontinue providing โคpipes forโ drug use due to funding shortfalls, according โขto an declaration Tuesday.
The Howard Center offers mental health, substance use, and developmental services, and previously provided harm reduction supplies like clean needles and pipes for โsubstances including methamphetamineโ and crack cocaine, alongside connections โฃto recovery resources. The decision comes amid concerns from neighbors regardingโ public drug use andโ crime โฃnear the center’s Clarke Street location.
“We are absolutelyโ concerned. We wish we had the funds to continue those services. We want people to stay โsafe. We want people to stay alive and to have as many โคresources as thay need to do that,” said Charlotte McCorkel, with the Howard Center.
While pipeโค distribution is expected toโฃ end later this month, the centerโค confirmed continued funding โfor its needle exchange program.Overdose prevention servicesโ will remain available at the Burlington location. โ
Vermontโฃ state โขleaders have not yet commented on the funding reduction. The Howard Center serves individuals and communities throughout vermont.
