Portland stands by strict rules for needle exchange despite warnings of higher risk The city's health and human services director says the program has maintained access to clean syringes without relaxing its exchange rules, but public health experts say the more restrictive approach can put people at risk during the pandemic. Share The city of Portland issued a lengthy defense of its needle exchange program on Friday after advocates criticized officials for maintaining restrictive policies during the coronavirus pandemic. City officials say there has been no need to drop its policy restricting the number of syringes provided to people enrolled in the program despite guidance from public health experts that it is limiting access to clean needles and putting people at risk of contracting COVID-19.