A new ordinance is now in effect

MANCHESTER, N.H. — A new ordinance that makes Manchester the first municipality in New Hampshire to regulate a drug-prevention program is now in effect. The ordinance, which was passed by the Manchester City Council in October, keeps the syringe service programs, or SSPs, in place while modifying policies for the sake of public health, city officials said. Mayor Jay Ruais said the ordinance will improve accountability and transparency in the SSPs, and hopefully reduce the number of needles in the city. Local advocacy groups in New Hampshire said the changes created by the ordinance may lead to a public health crisis in the future.