Flores, Dora
From: Jon Watson
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2024 10:27 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Item #27 for City Council Meeting on 4/16
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dear Santa Ana City Council,
I am writing to communicate my opposition to item #27 to be discussed at the upcoming city council meeting. As a board certified addiction medicine physician, I know that opposing the establishment of a safe syringe access program in Santa Ana will harm our city by denying us a proven, cost-effective public health intervention. Safe syringe access programs prevent transmission of disease and do not lead to the increased littering of paraphernalia. As a father who accompanies his toddler to the many wonderful parks in our city, fear that the city's opposition to a safe syringe access program puts my daughter at risk as people who inject drugs have limited venues to return their used equipment (and thus may be forced to dispose of them in public spaces). Finally, as a resident who cares deeply for this city, I believe opposing a safe syringe access program sends the message that we don't care about our most vulnerable citizens. I know this not to be true, so please do not adopt any resolution that opposes the development of a safe syringe access program in this fine city.
Thank you for your time,
Jonathan Watson of Baker St.
Flores, Dora
From: David Carbajal 1
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2024 8:55 AM
To: eComment
Subject: Opposition to Agenda Item #27
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dear Santa Ana City Council,
I am a lifetime resident of the city of Santa Ana and I am writing to express my strong opposition to Agenda Item 27, the resolution to oppose syringe exchange in Santa Ana. This resolution would be a detrimental step backward in addressing the pressing public health concerns we face.
It's crucial to recognize that Santa Ana comprises the highest rates of HIV transmission in Orange County. Denying access to proven harm reduction measures like syringe exchange programs only exacerbates this public health crisis. By refusing to implement such programs, the council is turning their back on the urgent need for comprehensive and compassionate solutions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among vulnerable populations in our community.
Syringe exchange programs have been widely acknowledged as effective strategies in reducing the transmission of bloodborne diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C, while also providing essential pathways to healthcare services and addiction treatment for individuals in need. The CDC and public health experts have urged local municipalities to implement syringe exchange programs for over three decades. The evidence supporting their efficacy is clear, and numerous communities across the country have successfully implemented these programs to great effect.
As we strive to address the health disparities and challenges facing Santa Ana, it is extremely important that we prioritize evidence-based approaches that have been proven to save lives and improve quality of life. I urge you to reconsider Agenda Item 27 and instead support initiatives that promote harm reduction and public health in our city.
Sincerely,
David Carbajal
Flores, Dora
From: Nathaniel Greensides
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2024 6:22 PM
To: eComment
Cc: Hernandez, Johnathan
Subject: City Council Meeting April 16 2024 Agenda Item 26 Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dear City Council,
I strongly oppose the proposed Resolution. People are going to use needles regardless of whether or not the City opposes needle exchange programs. Banning needle exchange programs sends the message that the City Council wants to see more needles on the streets and that the City is comfortable with infectious diseases easily being transmitted on our streets. Fact of the matter is that needle exchange programs help reduce the transmission of diseases. There is no data that suggests that disease increased when Santa Ana had needle exchange programs in the past. Data suggests that needle disease transmission increases where there are no safe and accessible needle exchange programs. (https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/effective-interventions/prevent/syringe- services-programs/index.html) Needle exchange centers also provide centralized and vetted information for people who are seeking to reduce or cease needle based drug use and the support to do so.
This resolution isn't going to solve the issue and it sends the wrong message to residents of our city who need access to sterile and safe needle disposal and exchange sites in addition to the ancillary services that needle exchange centers provide. The better resolution would be to hold all other surrounding cities to the same standard of allowing needle exchange sites to exist.
Sincerely,
Nathaniel Greensides
Ward 5 resident
Flores, Dora
From: Roberts, Dana
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2024 8:58 AM
To: eComment
Subject: No Needle Exchange Program
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
The residents of SA do not want this in our city! Those pushing for it in SA don't live here. This program failed last time resulting in thousands (14,000+) of used needles in parks, riverbeds, streets etc...
We Vote NO on this program. Do what's best for residents not special interest groups who don't reside in our City.
Sincerely,
Dana Roberts
Realtor DRE# 01777972
Coldwell Banker Realty
Please excuse any typos.
Sent from my iPhone.
*Wire Fraud is Real* . Before wiring any money, call the intended recipient at a number you know is valid to confirm the instructions. Additionally, please note that the sender does not have authority to bind a party to a real estate contract via written or verbal communication.
Flores, Dora
From: Donna Nguyen 1
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2024 10:10 AM
To: eComment
Subject: Public Comments-Needle Exchange
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dear City Council,
I am advocating on behalf of my 19 month old daughter Summer who is against the needle exchange program.
I'm not sure how many of you have little children, nieces, nephews or plan on having babies in the future. But, most of us know that these lil kiddos are wild at heart, rambunctious and have the curiosity to explore. It breaks my heart knowing that HRI wants to break ground in my home city. I have witnessed the detrimental repercussions from needle exchange programs while working in downtown Los Angeles. I've stepped on a syringe with blood flashback while on the job. This is just one incident out of many that I have experienced As a parent, one cannot fathom their own young child ever picking up those bright orange capped needles or even worse and uncapped used needle with whatever drug residue within.
When we all grew up, most of us did not experience erratic, mentally impaired, drug induced transients near our parks, schools, churches, businesses and homes. However, this is our new reality. I'm pleading with my heart that each and every one of you will fight with all your might for a safer future for the ones without a voice.
Please pray for them and protect them from harm's way. They did not sign up for this. Your efforts today will impact who they become in the future. Please don't fail them! Thank you for your time.
Respectfully,
Donna Nguyen
Resident & Mother
Sent from my iPhone
5 Flores, Dora
From: Lourdes Delgado I
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2024 11:41 AM
To: eComment
Subject: Item 27
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
I as a residents and homeowner of SA do not want this in our city! Those pushing for it in SA don't live here. This program failed last time resulting in thousands (14,000+) of used needles in parks, riverbeds, streets etc...
Vote NO on this program. Do what's best for residents not special interest groups who don't reside in our City.
Thank you,
Lourdes Delgado
92704
Sent from my iPhone
6 Flores, Dora
From: Lenihan, Jamie (Medical Student)
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2024 3:29 PM
To: eComment
Subject: OPPOSITION of ITEM #27, April 16th 2024 Meeting Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
To whom it may concern, I am writing to publicly oppose Santa Ana's resolution to oppose the establishment of HRI's harm reduction program. Harm reduction and syringe service programs are evidence-based practices with well-established individual, community, and public health benefits. As someone who has spent time participating in outreach to communities within Santa Ana, I can confidently say there is a great need for these services, and it is apparent that the city of Santa Ana has not found a solution to adequately address these needs.
I would urge the city to consider HRI as a valuable resource with the potential to have beneficial impacts on the safety, health, and well-being of the entire Santa Ana community.
Jamie Lenihan
Medical Student, UC Irvine
Flores, Dora
From: Johanna Cervantes
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 9:49 AM
To: eComment
Cc: Jose Rivera
Subject: PSA Needle Distribution Program Proposal in Santa Ana Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
To Sanata Ana City Council:
As a lifelong resident of Santa Ana and now a parent raising three young boys in this community, I feel a deep responsibility to safeguard their well-being. I'm opposed to the current needle distribution initiative because I believe our children deserve to grow up in an environment free from the pervasive influence of drug use. By continuing this practice, we only contribute to the normalization of harmful behaviors and increase the risk of infectious diseases spreading among addicts. Let's take a stand and put an end to this initiative to ensure that our children are protected and our community remains a safe and wholesome place for all families.
I firmly oppose the current needle distribution initiative. Our children deserve an environment where they are shielded from the pressures and dangers of drug use. By facilitating easier access to needles, we inadvertently exacerbate the spread of infectious diseases among addicts. Our community, especially the children of Santa Ana, deserves a clean and safe environment, free from the negative influences that could harm their well-being. It's imperative that we prioritize measures that protect our children and uphold the integrity of our community.
Thanks,
Johanna Rivera
Ph.
Resident of Santa Ana
Flores, Dora
From: tari brand
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 10:00 AM
To: eComment
Subject: Needle program
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
I am in full support of the possible upcoming needle distribution program. If it's done well and properly, it cuts down immensely on found needles and individuals in the community who are shooting heroin, etc. Amsterdam has an incredible program. There was a highly successful program in either Texas or Arizona that, unfortunately, was shut down by some politicians. It offered an very safe space for addicts and allowed them to live their lives without arrests and ridicule. But not before the community saw the benefits of it.
I am in support of the program if done thoroughly and well.
Thank you,
Ross St neighbor
2 Flores, Dora
From: Lupita Torres
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 10:40 AM
To: eComment
Subject: SUPPORT ITEM 27- RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE NEEDLE DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
SUPPORT ITEM 27- RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE NEEDLE DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM Santa Ana residents already deal with so much of this non-sense that we don't need any more "encouragement" in our communities. I find several needles on the street on almost a daily. Anyone who actually lives in Santa Ana and visits the park, 711 or convince stores or just has to go down an alley to enter their garage knows what I am talking about. We have the highest paying taxes in our county and we demand better. I would like resolution to oppose needle distribution program in our city once and for all.
Lupita Valeriano
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
3 Flores, Dora
From: Christina Dorsa-Smith
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 10:52 AM
To: eComment
Subject: HRI Proposed Needle Exchange Program
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
To Santa Ana Mayor and City Council,
I am strongly opposed to bringing in the needle exchange program again and request that the application submitted by the Harm Reduction Institute (HRI) or any other similar organization be denied.
Please VOTE NO on the needle exchange proposal!
Christina M. Dorsa-Smith
Morrison Park Neighborhood Neighborhood resident
Flores, Dora
From: Marthamolinaaviles
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 12:45 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Support Item 27
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Please support the resolution to oppose the Needle Exchange Program.
Thank you.
Martha Molina
Riverview Neighborhood
Ward 3
Sent from my iPhone
Flores, Dora
From: Flores, Gaston
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 2:23 PM
To: eComment
Subject: FW: Contact the City Council Submission
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2024 1:36 PM
To: Flores, Gaston <[email protected]>
Subject: Contact the City Council Submission
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Name
Patricia Kane
Email
Address
Santa Ana, California 92705
United States
Map It
Who is this message for?
• Mayor Valerie Amezcua
.. Mayor Pro Tem Thai Viet Phan
Councilmember Benjamin Vazquez
• Councilmember Jessie Lopez
• Councilmember Phil Bacerra
• Councilmember Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
• Councilmember David Penaloza
Comments or questions
We are opposed to the needle exchange program!!
Post Body
Please do not allow the needle exchange program in Santa Ana. It is dangerous in so many ways.
Thank you
James and Patricia Kane
Flores, Dora
From: Jeffrey Katz
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 5:11 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Item #27 - Needle Exchange Program
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
I am writing to express my support for the resolution opposing the implementation of the Needle Exchange Program (NEP) in Santa Ana. As a resident of Ward 3, I am intimately familiar with the challenges posed by homelessness in our community, and I believe that the NEP is not the appropriate solution to address these issues.
On a daily basis, 1 witness the struggles of individuals experiencing homelessness, many of whom are substance users. While I acknowledge that the NEP is well-intentioned and seeks to reduce the spread of diseases among injection drug users, it operates under the assumption of compliance by demographic that has historically demonstrated little desire or capacity for compliance. Needles will litter our City along with the refuse that is habitually abandoned in our public spaces.
Implementing the NEP in Santa Ana has the potential to have a deleterious impact on our neighborhoods, which are already burdened by the challenges associated with homelessness. The program will contribute, without a doubt, to an increase in discarded needles in public spaces, posing safety risks to residents and exacerbating concerns about community cleanliness.
If, in fact, NEPs have value, I believe the harm they pose to our community members far outweighs the utility..
I respectfully urge you to continue your efforts to encourage the State to deny the application for the NEP program in Santa Ana.
Kesher Law Group
Jeffrey A. Katz | Attorney at Law
Santa Ana, CA 92706
Direct Dial:
Email!
5 Flores, Dora
From: Angelica Nava
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 9:01 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Support Item 27- Resolution to Oppose Needle Distribution Program Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Hello,
As a resident of the city of Santa Ana I strongly oppose to the needle distribution program in our city. As a mother of a 3 year old, I would like to be able to take my son out for a walk or ride his bike around our home area. Unfortunately, most times we are out by Bristol street, we see people using drugs by the bushes/trees. I always worry my son will pick up drug paraphernalia so he is only allowed to be on the sidewalk. I can only imagine that with this program it will only increase the amount of needles left out in the community. Not acceptable.
Angelica Nava
Sent from my iPhone
6 Flores, Dora
From: Fernando Guzman
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 9:28 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Support item 27- Resolution to oppose needle distribution program Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
I oppose to the needle distribution. It affects the community since not only we find dirty needles all over the city, it gives the homeless addiction by already having a needle so the temptation is there to just buy the drugs.
If they have zero access to needles, they won't be able to use drugs and they can possibly get clean.
Our community is making the drug problem worst by helping homeless and others have access to needles.
By telling us that they need to give needles to avoid infections or passing on other illnesses is an excuse. If they don't have needles they won't be doing the worst drugs that kill themselves.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Flores, Dora
From: leslie.kato
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 10:59 PM
To: eComment
Subject: PSA Needle Distribution Program Proposal in Santa Ana Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
NO, NO, NO!!!!!
am not in favor of enabling addicts plus I am concerned about used needles being disposed improperly. I als eel the program will draw more addicts/homeless people to Santa Ana Leslie Kato
Santa Ana
Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
8 Flores, Dora
From: Alondra Salazar
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 11:52 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Opposition to Agenda Item #27
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Hello Santa Ana City Council,
My name is Alondra (she/her) I was born and raised in Santa Ana and am a 2nd year medical student. I am writing to express opposition towards agenda item 27, which is meant to discuss a resolution that opposes the establishment of a syringe exchange program in Santa Ana. Passing this resolution would represent a failure to act in the best interest of our community's health. Santa Ana has the highest rates of HIV transmission in Orange County and it is imperative to implement a program that helps address and lower the risk of HIV transmission and other blood borne diseases.
However, there is sadly a strong commitment to ignore the truth and benefits of syringe service programs and manipulate the public by fear mongering and sharing false information. So far there have been countless statements about the supposed hundreds of syringes that Harm Reduction Institute "did not collect" in the past or "will not collect" in the future but no evidence to prove it. On the other hand, there is an ample amount of evidence based information you can find about the benefits of Syringe exchange programs.
You say that syringe exchange programs only increase the presence of discarded needles when in fact studies have already proven that Syringe exchange Programs do the opposite, they reduce presence of needles because they provide an area where people can properly and safely dispose of used syringes. This evidence based information is widely available but you choose to ignore it. You say they enable people to use drugs when they do not and, in fact, provide people with referrals to medically assisted treatment programs and substance use counseling. The health of our community should be city officials' top priority. I strongly urge you to truly act in the name of public health and do not pass this resolution.
Sincerely,
Alondra Salazar
Flores, Dora
From: Christina Valenzuela
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 6:13 AM
To: eComment
Subject: Support item 27 - resolution to oppose needle distribution program Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
I oppose the needle distribution program. These programs need to stop as they don't help and enable drug users.
Get Outlook for iOS
10 Flores, Dora
From: Dale Helvig
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 9:44 AM
To: eComment; Amezcua, Valerie; Phan, Thai; Vazquez, Benjamin; Lopez, Jessie; Bacerra, Phil; Hernandez, Johnathan; Penaloza, David
Cc: Carvalho, Sonia R.; Nunez, Alvaro; Mendoza, Steven; Hall, Jennifer Subject: 2024-04-16 Letter to City Council-Item 27 Needle Distribution or Needle Give Away Program?
Attachments: 2024-04-16 Letter to City Council-Item 27 Needle Distribution.pdf Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Please include attachment in tonight's agenda for item 27.
BTW...The City website has a clinch and will not allow the opening of any agenda attachments. It just says...
Whoops! Something went wrong...
This attachment is no longer available.
Dale Helvig
Resident, Santa Ana
Dale Helvig
Resident, Santa Ana CA 92706
April 16, 2024
Mayor Amezcua and Santa Ana City Councilmembers
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, 8t* Floor
Santa Ana CA 92702
Subject: Item 27 Needle Give Away or Needle Distribution Program? I am adamantly against what I'll call the Needle Give Away or Needle Distribution Program and fully support the proposed resolution by the City Council announcing its opposition to the establishment of a Needle Exchange Program in the City. Furthermore, It is my understanding the Harm Reduction Institute (HRI) is using data created by the OC Heath Care Agency to determine the cities that have the highest rate of new HIV cases each year, which I believe is flawed I believe the methodology used by the OC Heath Care Agency is flawed in determining which city has the "highest need" for such a drastic program. A city of 30,000 with 9 new HIV cases would have a rate of
30.00, yet it is not identified as an issue. Santa Ana has a reported population of 310,555, which we all know is extremely low and a reported new rate of 14.9. This is the highest reported rate in OC.
FACT 1 (from the OC Heath Care Agency Fact sheet): At the end of 2022, there were 6,916 persons living with HIV (PLWH) in Orange County3 who are aware of their HIV status and an additional estimated 1,288 persons who are unaware of their HIV status. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calculation methodology estimates that 84.3% of PLWH know their status. Therefore, the total estimated number of PLWH in Orange County is 8,204.4
Footnote 4: The total number of persons estimated to be living with HIV is based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calculation methodology updated in 2021.
The calculation is the number of persons known to be living with HIV (6,916) divided by
0.843. The difference between this calculation (8,204) and 6,916 is the additional number of persons estimated to be living with HIV but are unaware of their diagnosis (1,288).
FACT 2 (from the OC Heath Care Agency Fact sheet): Rates are not calculated for cities where population estimates are unavailable or there were fewer than ten cases reported.
FACT 1 is appropriate and logical, FACT 2 is not. County records show positive results. The OC Heath Care Agency takes into consideration individuals living with HIV but are unaware of their diagnosis.
Likewise, we should be fully transparent about the new HIV case for every city in Orange County. Use realistic population numbers and don't exclude a city based on an arbitrary threshold for reported cases.
2024-04-15 Letter to City Council-Item 27 Needle Distribution Dale Helvig
Resident, Santa Ana CA 92706
Additional information directly from the OC Heath Care Agency Fact sheets. Bold is for effect. 2019 FACT Sheet
Figure 3 shows the number of new HIV diagnoses each year for Orange County residents as a bar, and the number of those diagnoses that were concurrently diagnosed with AIDS as a line. Concurrent diagnoses in 2019 represents a 47.8% decrease from 2010. 2020 FACT Sheet
Figure 3 shows the number of new HIV diagnoses each year among Orange County residents as a bar and the number of those diagnoses that were concurrently diagnosed with AIDS as a line. Concurrent diagnoses in 2020 represents a 37.1% decrease from 2011. 2021 FACT Sheet
Figure 3 shows the number of new HIV diagnoses each year among Orange County residents as a bar and the number of those diagnoses that were concurrently diagnosed with AIDS as a line. Concurrent diagnoses in 2021 represents a 21.7% decrease from 2012. 2022 FACT Sheet
Figure 3 shows the number of new HIV diagnoses each year among Orange County residents as a bar and the number of those diagnoses that were concurrently diagnosed with AIDS as a line. Concurrent diagnoses in 2022 represents a 18.6% decrease from 2013.
What the county
From HRI application...
4. What is the estimated annual number of participants you will serve? ANSWER: 500
5. What is the estimated annual number of syringes you will provide? ANSWER: 300,000
6. What is the estimated annual number of syringes you will collect? ANSWER: 180,000 HRI is dedicated to collecting as many used syringes as possible, however, because there are many other places to legally dispose of syringes, HRI cannot assume that it will be able to collect all of the syringes that it distributes. HRI participants may legally dispose of syringes at sharps disposal kiosks in the community and at other syringe services programs. Further, syringes are often confiscated and disposed of by the police. This number reflects these other avenues for syringe disposal.
This translates to an average of 600 needles per person per year. HRI mention estimates annual number of syringes you they will collect at 180,000. This could be less due to reason xyx, So in fact there is a very strong likelihood there will be substantially more than 120,000 needles left on the streets. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
2024-04-15 Letter to City Council-Item 27 Needle Distribution Dale Helvig
Resident, Santa Ana CA 92706
If you remember when this "Needle Distribution" took place a few years ago, needles were found in library books, playgrounds and parks. My neighbors and | personally found hundreds of needles during Santiago Park clean-up days in the children's playground, the bathrooms, by the baseball diamond and other areas frequented by children.
I was told by City staff that as a resident I should not be collecting needles in the park but should contact the city. Any delay in collecting needles only increases the probability that a child would find a needle that could potentially expose them to HIV. This Needle Distribution is not protecting the innocent.
Who is looking out for the innocent people using library books, playgrounds and parks? Not anyone involved in this Needle Distribution Program, which would be administered by people that don't live in Santa Ana.
This is a small sample of what was collected in a few hours in Santiago Park when the last Needle Distribution program existed. I do not expect any improvement given the HRI proposal.
2024-04-15 Letter to City Council-Item 27 Needle Distribution Dale Helvig
Resident, Santa Ana CA 92706
Figure 3. Number of New HIV Diagnoses and Number of Those Diagnoses Concurrently Diagnosed with AIDS by Year of HIV Diagnosis, 2013-2022. [Orange County Health Care Agency 2022 HIV Fact Sheet] Figure 3. Number of New HIV Diagnoses and Number of Those Diagnoses Concurrently Diagnosed with AIDS by Year of HIV Diagnosis, 2013-2022 400 341 339
311 284 306 291
267 278 259
· 300 244
€ 200
Z 100 60 64 50 60 162 55 56
0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Year
I New HIV Diagnoses - Concurrent Diagnosis
Figure 4. Rate per 100,000 Population of New HIV Diagnoses by City of Residence at Time of Diagnosis, Orange County 2022. [Orange County Health Care Agency 2022 HIV Fact Sheet] Figure 4. Rate per 100,000 Population of New HIV Diagnoses by City of Residence at Time of Diagnosis, Orange County 2022
Rate per 100,000 Population
La Habra, Brea Fewer than 10 cases or rate not calculated Fullerton Yorba Linda 0.1-5.7
5.8-8.7
Suena Park and Placentias
29930.09 18 8.8-13.7
Cypress 13.8-14.9
Orange Villa Park
Westminster Garden Grove e
seal Beach la Tustin Foothills
15 Santa Ana Tustin Laké Forest
Fountain Valley :
Huntington Beach 3 Foothill Ranch
795622839
Costa Mesa Irvine -Portola Hills
Cake Forest Rancho Santa Margarita
Newport Beach,
As Mission Victo
Aliso vièjo. Launato de Caza
Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel
'San Juan Capistrano
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration. Stay safe, stay healthy.
Respectfully,
Dale A Helvig
Resident, Santa Ana
2024-04-15 Letter to City Council-Item 27 Needle Distribution Flores, Dora
From: Carol Newark
Sent: Tuesday, April T6, 2024 9:49 AM
To: eComment
Subject: Agenda Item 27
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Honorable City Councilmembers,
Given the vitriolic attacks we are receiving on social media, Harm Reduction Institute (HRI) staff are regrettably unable to attend in person this evening to speak on agenda item 27 due to safety concerns. HRI opposes the proposed resolution since it aims to deny HRI the ability to provide vital healthcare services to the most vulnerable residents of Santa Ana by establishing a syringe services program (SSP).
To begin with, we would like to correct some of the assertions and accusations that the City has offered in support of its opposition to HRI and its mission. For example, the City claims that HRI's proposed SSP will lead to a large increase in the number of syringes littered in public areas. This claim is completely unsupported by evidence as all data presented by the City is from 2016-2018, two to four years before HRI ever opened. HRI offered syringe access for almost two years from 2020-2022 under the direction of a physician at a medical office, and went largely unnoticed by the broader community while serving the healthcare needs of hundreds of participants. Further, the City ignores the emphasis that HRI places on proper syringe handling and syringe collection. HRI strives to retrieve as many discarded syringes as feasible. As explained in the following paragraph from our application, which the City continues to leave out of the conversation, it is simply not possible for HRI to collect every single syringe it dispenses:
HRI is dedicated to collecting as many used syringes as possible, however, because there are many other places to legally dispose of syringes, HRI cannot assume that it will be able to collect all of the syringes that it distributes. HRI participants may legally dispose of syringes at sharps disposal kiosks in the community and at other syringe services programs. Further, syringes are often confiscated and disposed of by the police. This number reflects these other avenues for syringe disposal.
We hope our estimated 60% return rate is an underestimate, and plan to do everything in our power to collect as many syringes as possible from the community. HRI in no way intends to ONLY collect 120,000 needles annually. We hope that we will be able to collect more, and that people who utilize our program will use sharps disposal kiosks in the community that the CDPH has offered to provide.
As described in our CDPH application, HRI is committed to using its best efforts to collect discarded syringes.
The HRI outreach team will be in the community collecting syringes from participants Monday through Friday from 9 am until 5 pm so that they can be safely disposed of. In other words, HRI will be dedicating 40 hours each week to collecting syringes from participants. HRI will also do syringe litter sweeps throughout the city, and will operate a hotline where residents can report syringe litter. We take this issue very seriously, and are committed to increasing access to proper syringe disposal in the community (whether those syringes originated with HRI or elsewhere.
Without providing any context, the City also claims that HRI is not transparent and has not worked collaboratively with the City. HRI was originally launched at a medical office under physician supervision in Santa Ana, in direct response to the City's repeated requests in 2017 and 2018 that any syringe program be run out of a physician's office. At the City Council meeting on September 1, 2020, Councilmember Solorio publicly stated that syringe exchange programs should be operated at medical offices so that there could be more oversight. Despite this rhetoric, on September 15, 2020, the City passed an ordinance banning Health and Safety Code syringe services programs, and resolved to pursue other enforcement action against HRI, as HRI's operation was not authorized pursuant to the health and safety code. Despite heeding the City's demand and doing exactly what Councilmember Solorio had asked for, the City still shut down HRI's operations in January 2022.
Contrary to the City's claims that HRI has refused to discuss its operations with City officials, the City has turned down HR's invitation to discuss HRI's operation. In October 2022, HRI emailed the entire Santa Ana City Council asking to discuss our plan to apply to CDPH. We ultimately met with Councilmember David Penaloza and Assistant City Manager Steven Mendoza to discuss the application. When HRI asked about the City's opposition to HR's medical office location, we were told that its centralized location was a problematic because it drew people from one area of the city to the other. In direct response to the City's concern, HRI proposed switching to a home delivery system, but were told to take our program to another City. We view this suggestion as unreasonable given that the City has consistently had the highest rate of HIV transmission in Orange County since at least 2013 (according to publicly available data from the Orange County Healthcare Agency). Santa Ana is in desperate need of an SSP to address its position as the epicenter of the HIV epidemic in Orange County. As an HIV prevention agency, we must go to where the need is greatest.
Lastly, the City's complaint that the CDPH has not yet engaged in the mandatory consultation process pursuant to the Health and Safety Code is false and misleading. HRI is aware of the CDPH's current efforts to schedule consultation meetings with local law enforcement and the Orange County Public Health Officer, and that talks regarding the consultation phase have been going on since HRI applied in December 2023. Despite CDPH's offer to consult with the City since January, the City has consistently dragged its feet and has made no effort to engage in good faith discussions with CDPH officials.
HRI has an excellent track record in the community. We continue to work collaboratively with several Santa Ana based organizations and are open to good faith, productive dialogue with concerned citizens and stakeholders. We provide naloxone and naloxone training to community organizations both in Santa Ana and across the county. We ran a successful syringe services program in the City for 18 months. We attempted to dialogue with the City regarding our CDPH application when we were first working on it in the fall of 2022.
Based on the City's recalcitrant and dismissive attitude, we have come to believe the City is only interested in shutting down our operation in order to appease a small but vocal minority who are opposed to our life-saving operation.
Sincerely,
Carol Newark, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Harm Reduction Institute
Mahan Naeim, MD
Chairman, Board of Directors
Harm Reduction Institute
Haden Oliphant, MD
Vice Chairman, Board of Directors
2 Harm Reduction Institute
Timothy McMullen
Secretary, Board of Directors
Harm Reduction Institute
3 Flores, Dora
From: Lopez, Jessie
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 11:52 AM
To: eComment
Subject: For City Council Mtg 4/16/24 - Item 27
Attachments: pastedGraphic.png; Santa.Ana.Letter.4.15.24-pg-1.pdf - Forwarded message --.
From: Monica SASEIU-Prez
Date: Mon, Apr 15, 2024 at 11:06 PM
Subject: For City Council Mtg 4/16/24 - Item 27
To: Monica-M-Suter-SEIU721-Santa-Ana-Chapter-President , Ruben- Hernandez-SEIU-721-COSA-Code-Enf-Officer
To Honorable Mayor & Council,
Please see the attached letter re: Item 27 for tomorrow's City Council Mtg.
We're strongly against bringing back the needle "exchange" program.
Regards,
Monica M. Suter
Monica M. Suter, President
SEIU Local 721 Santa Ana Chapter
Sent from my iPhone
LOCAL 721
April 15, 2024
Honorable Mayor & Members of the Santa Ana City Council SEIU City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
SERVICE EMPLOYEES
Santa Ana, CA 92701
INTERNATIONAL UNION, TW, CLC
OFFICERS RE: Unsafe Working Conditions for City of Santa Ana Members David Green
PRESIDENT
Honorable Mayor & Members of the Santa Ana City Council, Simboa Wight
VICE PRESIDENT
Lillian Cabral
SECRETARY The members of SEIU Local 721 strongly oppose the Needle Exchange program.
Adolfo Granados
TREASURER
This program will severely jeopardize the safety of our membership and their working DIRECTORS conditions.
LA. COUNTY
Kelly Zhou In the past, the Orange County Needle Exchange Program (OCNEP) had been
VICE PRESIDENT
Ileana Meza operating in the Civic Center in Santa Ana where needle distributions were scheduled
VICE PRESIDENT
once a week. Up to two hundred needles per person were given out weekly, even if the Lydia Cabral
Jerry Clyde Jr. person did not have any used needles to deposit. The distribution center was only a Patrick Del Conte
Kelley Dixon-Turner few yards away from main library, city hall, and other government buildings. Before Ruby Dye OCNEP began operations, the public library never had any incidents related to used Steven Gimian
Omar Perez needles found on the premises. The last time this program was around, they have Charlotte Ramos
Lawrence Reyes documented two hundred and thirty-four used syringes found inside and outside the Jose Sanchez
Grace Santillano perimeter of the library.
Theresa Velasco
Sharonda Wade
We realize that we are experiencing an opioid crisis, but not at the expense of the
LA/OC CITIES
Jose "Joe" Martinez safety of our membership. We want to protect the community, and in doing so we do VICE PRESIDENT not want to compromise the safety and working conditions of our members with this Theodore Sanchez
VICE PRESIDENT program.
Sylvia Alvarado
Dion Cornelius
Saundra Dixon Respectfully,
Guillermo Martinez
Al Reed
Victor M. Vasquez
Salvador Zambrano
TRI-COUNTIES
Grace Sepulvec David Green
ICE PRESIDEN
VICE PRESIDENT President
SEIU Local 721
cc: Jenita Igwealor, Regional Director, LA/OC Cities Division iza orche Charles Leone, Coordinator, LA/OC Cities Division Ryan Murillo, Worksite Organizer, LA/OC Cities Division SEIU Local 721 Santa Ana Chapter Board
RETIREAMENIES
Flores, Dora
From: Roxana Pleitez 1
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 12:03 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Santa Ana Board meeting 04.16.24 Item#27 comment- Pleitez Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Item #27
To whom it may concern:
I am in favor of Opposing the Needle Distribution Program from HRI. I pay high property taxes to live in a city that's clean and does not attract more drug addicts to the area. It will be more equitable if the sites are distributed among all cities and not only Santa Ana. Let's propose to open sites in every city, including Irvine, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Tustin, and other south cities. According to Cambridge dictionary the word equitable means "treating everyone equally". This clearly means that we should treat all cities equally, and Santa Ana should not be the only option to create these types of programs. Perhaps, those proposing this type of facility would like to have the needle exchange facility be opened next to their house?
Thank you,
Roxana Pleitez
2 Flores, Dora
From: Claudio Gallegos
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 12:18 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Item 27: Needle Exchange Program - Letter to SA City Council.pdf Attachments: SAPOA 2024 Needle Exchange Program - Letter to SA City Councilpdf Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Good Afternoon,
Please see our letter in support of Item 27 to oppose the proposed needle exchange program. If you could please distribute it to the Mayor and City Councilmembers, thank you.
Claudio W. Gallegos
Political Director
Santa Ana Police Officers Association
SANTA ANA POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
1607 NORTH SYCAMORE SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92701-3513
[714] 836-1211 FAX [714] 836-6108
* * * VIA EMAIL * * *
April 16, 2024
DEAR HONORABLE MAYOR AMEZCUA AND CITY COUNCIL,
As my role as President of the Santa Ana Police Officers Association, we express our opposition to the proposed Needle Exchange Program and support for Item 27 on tonight's agenda. The proposed Needle Exchange Program by the Harm Reduction Institute will only make the substance abuse problem worse, enabling drug use rather than deter it. This will leave our community littered with needles that will put our residents, who we serve and protect every day, in harm's way. This is the wrong solution to the current drug abuse crisis.
The last time there was a needle exchange program in our city, we had an epidemic of dirty needles in our community. Many of our officers had to put themselves in harm's way to clean up the mess. By the applicants own admission, 120,000 needles would once again be left on our streets. In our view, this is unacceptable. We find it interesting that the people who propose these needle exchange programs are NOT from Santa Ana and are often from much more affluent cities. Why not do the program in other cities? Why does Santa Ana always have to be the dumping ground? In our view, it is an insult that out of towners from more affluent communities choose to run their failed social experiments in Latino communities, putting working class and immigrant families at risk and placing more obstacles and challenges to our police officers whose job is to protect and serve these families. At a time that we are understaffed this will cause more calls for service and prolong our response time to emergency calls. These programs will increase the use of drugs at our parks and neighborhood. Drug abuse is being normalized for our youngest residents, who should not have to be exposed to this kind of behavior. Once again, why are children in more affluent cities deserving of being shielded from such behavior, but the children of Santa Ana are not. Santa Ana deserves much better.
Please join the Santa Ana Police Officers Association, Santa Ana Police Management Association, our city employees with SEIU Local 721 and thousands of Santa Ana residents in opposing this terrible Needle Exchange Program.
Sincerely,
JOHN KACHIRISKY
PRESIDENT
SANTA ANA POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
/ fsapp01 \ rosie\ Documents\ 13 - PAC\ SAPOA 2024 Needle Exchange Program - Letter to SA City Council.doc Flores, Dora
From: Amy Lieberman
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 1205 PM
To: eComment
Subject: RE: Agenda Item #27
Attachments: OPPOSE Santa Ana Resolution on HRl.docx
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Please see attached letter in support of the Harm Reduction Institute and in opposition to the city's resolution on NEPs.
Thank you,
Amy Lieberman, Senior Attorney
Harm Reduction Legal Project
Network for Public Health Law
The Network - Harm Reduction Legal Project
N The Netwole
for Public Health Law
Edina, Minnesota 55435
Ideas.
Experience.
Practical Answers.
April 16, 2024
Honorable Santa Ana City Councilmembers:
On behalf of the Harm Reduction Legal Project, I am pleased to provide this letter in support of the Harm Reduction Institute's (HRI) application to provide harm reduction services in Santa Ana and to encourage the Council to reject the proposed resolution against HRI. The Harm Reduction Legal Project is an initiative of the Network for Public Health Law, and provides actionable information, guidance, and support to policymakers, health agencies, providers, and advocates working to create more just, equitable, and health-focused drug policy in the Unites States.
We believe that California's authorization process for syringe services programs (SSPs) is careful, thorough, and preempts local law. State authorization is necessary in areas where local government is hesitant to endorse much-needed harm reduction practices. Drug-related harm knows no borders - infectious disease and overdose deaths anywhere in California affects all Californians. We urge you to reject the proposed resolution against HRI and instead work together with HRI to bring the best evidence- based harm reduction policies possible to Santa Ana and become a model community for other cities in California.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 109,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in 2022. These deaths are overwhelmingly caused the presence of illicit fentanyl in the illegal opioid supply. Participants in syringe services programs (SSPs) are more likely to stop using drugs - new users of SSPs are five times more likely to enter drug treatment than those who do not use an SSP. Those who do not stop using drugs but participate in an SSP are three times more likely to reduce their injection frequency.
SSPs also greatly reduce the transmission of disease and save health care costs, all while causing no increase in illegal drug use or crime. Further, the scientific literature is clear that syringe services programs reduce syringe litter in areas where they are implemented. Eliminating SSPs does not stop people from using drugs.
HRI's proposed operating plan, with CDPH's endorsement, addresses the County's Local Health Officer mitigation recommendations mentioned in the Resolution's discussion section:
(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
HRI has offered a plan to meet Santa Ana's recommendations. Santa Ana should now choose to work with HRI to protect the health and safety of Santa Ana residents and all Californians.
SSPs are evidence-based public health and medical interventions. Their operation should not be restricted by politicians with no training in either field. Restricting SSPs does not stop drug use, it simply makes it more dangerous. The consequences of re-using or sharing injection equipment are incurable disease and death at incredible cost to the public, both financially and in the emotional toll on the community that comes with preventable morbidity and mortality. If the city of Santa Ana is truly concerned about syringe litter or community safety, we strongly suggest that they fully support and work in conjunction with HRI to make the program even more effective and alleviate any remaining concern.
Sincerely,
Amy Lieberman
Senior Attorney, Harm Reduction Legal Project
Network for Public Health Law
Alcala, Abigail
From: D Espi ‹
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 1:23 PM
To:
Subject: Support item 27- Resolution to oppose Needle Distribution Program Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
As a RESIDENT of Santa Ana I speak on behalf of my entire immediate family when I say we don't need to enable drug users at the expense of the health and safety of our residents. Particularly our children and elderly who frequently use common spaces such as parks, libraries and senior centers. The last time this program was in Santa Ana, our family (who shares a boundary wall with a local business) had to pick up needles thrown over their wall before allowing their children could go outside every day. This is UNACCEPTABLE.
NO NEEDLE DISTRIBUTION!!
Diana Espinoza