Asked the City Manager to work with the Department of Public Health, the Department of Public Works, and any other relevant City departments to develop a plan to install needle drop boxes in identified problem areas throughout the city

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Substance Use Disorder continues to impact cities across the country, including the City of Cambridge; and

Many individuals struggling with this disorder use substances through injection, leading to the improper disposal of needles; and

The City has received numerous complaints from residents about needles being found in playgrounds, parks, and public squares; and

Between July 2024 and July 2025, the Central Square Business Improvement District

collected 85,000 discarded needles in Central Square alone, including an average of 6,000 needles per month from the drop box located on Green Street; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of

Public Health, the Department of Public Works, and any other relevant City

departments to develop a plan to install needle drop boxes in identified problem areas throughout the city and report back to the City Council.