With the needle program closed, people are “using whatever they can. Whatever they have,” said Steven Woodson, 51, a program volunteer who said he takes methadone to keep away from heroin.

Giving clean syringes to people who inject drugs has been found to curb the spread of disease. But syringe programs are being banned in many California communities. The state is fighting back.

Santa Ana leaders are opposing a new needle-exchange program approved by state ... HRI will operate a syringe-litter reporting system where Santa Ana residents can report improperly discarded ...