Comment from H, Todd

Good morning, my name is Todd and I volunteer in harm reduction services. I am submitting comments regarding CDC’s proposed revision of the National Survey of Syringe Services Programs, Docket No. CDC-2026-0859. I volunteer for a hotline service where we spot user's who call in and use drugs alone. We monitor the call and reach out to EMS services if the caller become unresponsive during our call/conversation. As a off and on IV drug user myself I have experience using the hotline and it provided much serenity in knowing I had someone "with" me in case of overdose. I also have had an overdose reversed via Narcan while using with a friend who had a supply of Narcan thanks to public outreach programs. The reason for my comment is the concern that the CDC will fail to represent harm reduction services if left unrevised. I suggest defining onsite services where organizations are directly working with the public, providing supplies. Rather than an overall statistic mixed with a organization that simply hands out fliers on where to get supplies. Also, the CDC must protect program confidentiality from law enforcement agencies. In conclusion, CDC must design this survey with people who operate and use syringe services programs, not merely about them. Thank you!