HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-010 - Opposition Needle Exchange ProgramRESOLUTION NO. 2024-010
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA ANNOUNCING ITS STRENUOUS
OPPOSITION TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEEDLE
EXCHANGE PROGRAM IN THE CITY
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS
FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, on January 5, 2023, Harm Reduction Institute ("HRI") submitted an
application with the California Department of Public Health ("CDPH") to operate a
Needle Exchange Program ("NEP") in the City that includes mobile delivery of syringes;
WHEREAS, in the January 5, 2023 application, HRI noted they would be
providing 500,000 syringes and collecting only 300,000;
WHEREAS, on May 10, 2023, the Director of the Orange County Health Care
Agency ("Local Health Officer') wrote to CDPH advising of the negative experiences
with NEP's including with HRI and the overwhelming burden of used syringes littering
the community;
WHEREAS, the County's Local Health Officer recommended CDPH require HRI
incorporate three key mitigation measures including: (1) demonstrating safe and
effective methods of appropriate syringe disposal and collection; (2) providing
counseling services, linkage to behavior health and medical services and provide follow-
up to referrals placed; and (3) community collaboration, data collection and monitoring
to identify positive and negative impacts;
WHEREAS, on May 19, 2023, the City's Former City Manager and Retired Police
Chief submitted a joint letter strenuously opposing HRI's application to operate a NEP in
the City;
WHEREAS, on August 11, 2023, CDPH approved HRI's application to operate a
NEP in the City;
WHEREAS, on August 23, 2023, the City demanded CDPH rescind its
authorization for HRI to operate a NEP in the City based on CDPH's failure to engage in
meaningful collaboration with the City pursuant to Health and Safety Code §121349;
WHEREAS, on August 30, 2023, CDPH rescinded its authorization for HRI to
operate an NEP in the City and placed their application into pending status;
WHEREAS, on December 20, 2023, HRI submitted a new application to CDPH
to operate a NEP in the City and revised its estimate of the number of syringes they
Resolution No. 2024-010
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would be providing to 300,000 and collecting to 180,000, leaving 120,000 syringes
unaccounted for;
WHEREAS, HRI's December 20, 2023 application is currently pending with
CDPH and CDPH has not yet engaged in the mandatory consultation process pursuant
to the Health and Safety Code with the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to ensure that NEP operations which are
detrimental to the health, safety and welfare, are not authorized and established in the
City.
NOW THEREFORE, the Santa Ana City Council does hereby resolve as follows:
Section 1. The City Manager is hereby directed to take all necessary steps to
work with key stakeholders including City staff, elected officials and members of the
community, to strenuously oppose HRI's application and provide CDPH, during the
consultation process, the following relevant and material information: (1) historical and
current data, statistics and information demonstrating that HRI's NEP will result in the
exposure of an overwhelmingly number of used, discarded and uncollected syringes
("syringe litter") into the community that will negatively and detrimentally impact the
public's health, safety and welfare; (2) the significant financial impact and burden HRI's
NEP and the resulting syringe litter will have on City resources including numerous local
law enforcement agencies in the County; (3) HRI's lack of transparency, accountability
and trust in the community due to their refusal to work collaboratively with the City.
Section 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
resolution and enter it into the book of original Resolutions.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by
the City Council and the City Clerk shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this
Resolution.
ADOPTED this 16th day of April, 2024.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By:
Mi, Tamara Bogosian
p" Senior Assistant City Attorney
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AYES: Councilmembers Amezcua, Bacerra, Hernandez, Lopez,
Penaloza, Phan, Vazquez (7)
NOES: Councilmembers None (0)
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers None (0)
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers None (0)
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, JENNIFER L. HALL, City Clerk, do hereby attest to and certify the attached
Resolution No. 2024-010 to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the
City of Santa Ana on April 16, 2024.
Resolution No. 2024-010
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