1 Vernice Hankins
From: Peter DiChellis <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2022 3:01 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Item 16E Surreptitious Drug Needle Exchange in SM Parks
EXTERNAL
News Article: “City Council wants needle programs removed from public parks” https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://smdp.com/2022/09/12/city‐council‐wants‐needle‐programs‐removed‐from‐ public‐parks/__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!oS6qgwUjllW4oOYW3yGKFEHQuI28IxHh9KQvtUYOoHO8uZuRI1EuajUWLC‐ zHjzdDWA5IWK25eCCQ3oXRv9ENTu50P3nkt4$
First, I guess this discovery puts the lie to any assertion that surrounding jurisdictions don't dump their problems on Santa Monica.
Second, please strengthen the Council’s draft letter, as presented in Council Agenda Item 16E.
Suggestions: a) include a reminder that public possession and distribution of drug paraphernalia is a crime and violators in Santa Monica will be prosecuted to the fullest by the City; b) demand that District 3 candidates Horvath and Hertzberg state their position on using Santa Monica public parks in this manner, so our voters can respond c) insist the BoS identify all those who made or participated in this surreptitious, unilateral decision so those individuals can be held accountable for such arrogant negligence.
Finally, please publish the City’s final letter and document all responses and/or non‐responses to it.
Sincerely,
Peter DiChellis
Unaffiliated moderate
Santa Monica 90403
Item 16.E
09/13/22
1 of 2 Item 16.E
09/13/22
1 Vernice Hankins
From: Kent Downing <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2022 8:42 AM
To: councilmtgitems; David White
Subject: County needle distribution agenda item
EXTERNAL
Council and City Manager White,
I read in yesterday’s edition of the daily press that tonight’s agenda includes an item to ask the county to implement changes to the needle distribution that is currently happening in our parks. The article cites as one reason that a recent death in palisades park was the result of overdose. I know you’re all getting hammered from residents about homelessness and the increasingly visible problem of addiction but I implore you not to ask the county to reduce the number of locations or times needle distribution is available. The evidence is crystal clear on this, it will not reduce IV drug use, overdose incidents, or deaths. The only thing that making needles less readily available will do is increase the rates of infectious disease‐specifically HIV and Hepatitis. I applaud your efforts to include additional services for those who need them, coordination of care and readily available rehab and mental health services will have a positive impact on use, overdoses, and deaths. I’m sympathetic to the fact that everyone on the council and in the community needs a win, but speaking as a recovering addict who has first hand experience as well as extensive knowledge of the existing body of research on this subject, reducing access to clean needles won’t be the win you seek. It will only serve to increase Hepatitis and HIV transmission which, in addition to the obvious health implications, brings a whole host of costs and additional problems with it. Please reconsider the unintended consequences that this change will have and work with the experts in the county health department on finding a solution that doesn’t reduce access.
Thank you for your consideration.
KD
Item 16.E
09/13/22
2 of 2 Item 16.E
09/13/22