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Augusta City Council considering needle buyback program [Video]
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Augusta City Council considering needle buyback program [Video]

OR EMAILS. IN AUGUSTA I’M JACKIE MUNDRY FOR MAINES TOTAL COVERAGE AUGUSTA – IS THE LATEST CITY CONSIDERING A “NEEDLE BUYBACK” PROGRAM. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE PILOT PROGRAM PORTLAND IS GETTING READY TO BEGIN – AND TODAY CATE MCCUSKER SAT DOWN WITH THE CITY COUNCILOR WHO HOPES TO BRING IT TO AUGUSTA. 00;02;45;07 – 00;03;10;26 “THESE THINGS ARE PILING UP OUT IN THE PUBLIC AREAS AND THEY’RE NOT GETTING PICKED UP. ” AFTER THE PORTLAND CITY COUNCIL PASSED A NEEDLE BUYBACK PROGRAM LAST MONTH – KEVIN JUDKINS SUGGESTED A SIMILAR EFFORT TO THE AUGUSTA CITY COUNCIL. 00;00;47;27 – 00;01;31;20 COUNCILOR KEVIN JUDKINS “IN ADDITION TO THEM EXCHANGING A NEEDLE WITH SOMEBODY, IF THEY COULD MAYBE THEN GIVE THEM LIKE A FIVE CENT DEPOSIT OR $0.05 ON THE NEEDLE THEY BROUGHT BACK.” HE SAYS THE CITY COULD PARTNER WITH EXISTING NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS AND OFFER A MONETARY INCENTIVE USING OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO CLEAN UP THE NEEDLES OFF THE STREETS. 00;02;01;02 – 00;02;25;03 “AND HOPEFULLY IF IF PEOPLE CAN PUT A LITTLE DOLLARS IN THEIR POCKET TO BUY A LUNCH OR WHATEVER, THAT THEY MIGHT BE MORE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT PICKING UP THEIR NEEDLES” JUDKINS USED TO OWN A BOTTLE REDEMPTION CENTER – AND HE SAYS A SIMILAR PROGRAM WAS HELPFUL IN CLEANING UP THAT LITTER IN THE AREA. 00;04;26;10 – 00;04;55;00 “SO IT KIND OF STRUCK ME AS IS, YOU KNOW, IT WORKED. THE BOTTLE LAW HAS ACTUALLY WORKED. I REMEMBER AS A YOUNGER PERSON GROWING UP AND SEEING LOTS OF THOSE, THAT TYPE OF LITTER AROUND OUR STREETS, AND WE DON’T SEE IT ANYWHERE NEAR AS MUCH ANYMORE” MAINEGENERAL IS ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS CURRENTLY OFFERING A SYRINGE SERVICE PROGRAM IN THE CITY – AND THEY SAY IT WORKS TO MINIMIZE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE USE. WHILE THEY HAVE NOT YET REVIEWED THE CITY COUNCIL’S PLAN – THEY SAY ACCORDING TO THE CDC – NEEDLE EXCHANGES HELP REDUCE THE SPREAD OF DISEASES AND DECREASE THE NUMBER OF SYRINGES IN PUBLIC SPACES. JUDKINS SAYS THE COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO DISCU

School district concerned about cellphone ban [Video]
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School district concerned about cellphone ban [Video]

The School District of Pickens County’s board raised several concerns as the board failed to pass a model policy from the state regarding cellphone use in schools.In a split 3-3 vote, the board did not have the majority to pass the policy on Monday, thus failing the motion. “The board doesn’t want to push the teachers and have them to be the enforcers, and that is the role of the districts to enact the policy,” district spokesperson Dr. Darian Byrd said. “We want to work with the board and land somewhere.”The state’s baseline policy states students must turn off their devices beginning at the tardy bell to dismissal with some exceptions for medical and safety needs. Board members raised concerns about what exactly constitutes instructional time and how teachers could be asked to enforce it.”I consider in-class instructional time,” Board Member Betty Bagley said. “I do not consider the lunch room instructional time, walking up and down the hallway instructional time, recess.””In a lunchroom, let’s say, with 600 students in there, I don’t know if you’ve been to a mall, but when I walk through the mall, and if you ask me who owns this device right now and turn them all off, I mean, that is a space that it’s going to be difficult,” Byrd said.The policy is tied to a proviso in South Carolina’s budget. District officials said failing to comply with the cellphone policy could lead to some of its budget being withheld.Children’s safety was also brought up as a concern.”When a cellphone is turned off, that sometimes removes that tracking ability, and so I get that. The board members get that, and the constituents have been concerned with that,” Byrd said.Byrd said upwards of 70% of the district’s budget is received from the state. At least one board member said he voted in favor of the policy to avoid losing the funding.”Just before I do vote on this, I really am just voting for formality or otherwise, I take my funding,” Board Member Shannon Haskett said.Implementation of the statewide cellphone ban in schools will begin in January. “I know it’s not just our board,” Byrd said. “Other places across state would like to see if there would be some provisions because that’s where it’s going to be difficult to enforce.”The school board has called a meeting for Friday, when they are expected to discuss and vote on the policy again.