Fargo health officials say they 'just want to save more lives' with syringe services program

FARGO — A month after Fargo’s needle exchange program came under fire, staff at the Harm Reduction Center continue to educate people and hand out syringes with the goal of keeping people “safe and alive,” local health leaders say.

In an interview with The Forum, officials with Fargo Cass Public Health discussed what the Harm Reduction Center offers through its syringe services program. Sometimes called the needle exchange program, syringe services helps save lives, according to Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator Robyn Litke Sall.

“We need to keep them safe and alive if and until we can get them to recovery,” she said.

Fargo city commissioners voted twice in as many years to consider shutting down the program, with both attempts failing in a 3-2 vote. The latest came on Nov. 10, when