SOAR, a group being investigated by the Charleston Police Department, is asking for 150-thousand-dollars in grants to expand harm reduction efforts. They plan to distribute over 300-thousand needles in the next year, and the groups grant application also serves as a request for certification from the state to operate a harm reduction program.
Several Charleston City Council members raised questions about SOARS grant application, and asked Mayor Goodwin about the city’s support of the group. Goodwin says the city supports the distribution of naloxone and harm reduction efforts.