Laserfiche WebLink
Adopt Resolution to Ban Syringe Exchange Programs in the City of Santa Ana <br />September 17, 2019 <br />Page 2 <br />It is believed, and has been proven through prior City experiences, that this constituency will <br />expose the improper disposal of dirty and used needles, which will endanger the health and safety <br />of the community. OCNEP's earlier and documented operations in the Santa Ana Civic Center had <br />significant adverse impacts, including but not limited to excessive needle litter at the Civic Center <br />and associated public safety concerns, which ultimately resulted in the City's termination of its <br />Memorandum of Understanding with OCNEP to operate a syringe access program at the Civic <br />Center. In the termination letter dated December 6, 2017, a plethora of written and verbal <br />complaints regarding the mismanagement of the OCNEP program and its deficiency in operation, <br />illustrating serious health and safety concerns to the Santa Ana community. <br />Chief among the safety concerns were numerous complaints by citizens conducting business in <br />the Civic Center, families visiting the Santa Ana Library, and employees of the City of Santa Ana, <br />the County of Orange, the federal government, and the State of California. The OCNEP Mobile <br />Needle Exchange proposal will not only adversely impact the quality of life for Santa Ana residents, <br />visitors, and businesses, but will also re-create a public health and safety crisis for the Santa Ana <br />community at large which has been mitigated with the cancellation of the prior OCNEP MOU and <br />permit denial. <br />Following direction received at the July 29, 2019 Legislative Affairs, Ethics, Transparency and <br />Communications Council Committee meeting, the City Manager is recommending that the City <br />Council adopt a resolution opposing the establishment of Clean Needle and Syringe Exchange <br />Program Operations in the City of Santa Ana. This recommendation reaffirms Councilmember <br />Penaloza's discussion of a resolution to oppose the establishment of needle exchange operations <br />within the City of Santa Ana. <br />STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT <br />Approval of this item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #5 — Community Health, Livability, <br />Engagement & Sustainability. <br />ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT <br />There are no environmental impacts associated with this action <br />FISCAL IMPACT <br />There is no fiscal impact at this time. <br />Exhibit: 1. Resolution <br />55A-2 <br />