PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sarah Zarba, Social Worker from Legal Aid Society
3:10:16
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154 sec
Sarah Zarba, a social worker from the Legal Aid Society, testifies in support of Intro 206-A, which would require correction officers to carry and administer Narcan. She emphasizes the urgent need for this legislation due to the high risk of overdoses in custody and immediately after release.
- Zarba shares that her team has lost three clients to overdose shortly after their release from Rikers Island.
- She highlights that incarcerated individuals currently bear the burden of administering Narcan during overdoses, as correction officers are often unprepared or unwilling to intervene.
- The testimony also supports the inclusion of language mandating DOC to offer Narcan kits to those being released from Rikers.
Sarah Zarba
3:10:16
Good afternoon.
3:10:18
My name is Sarah Zarva.
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I'm a social worker with the Legal Aid Society's Women's pretrial Release Initiative.
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And I'm here in support of intro 206a.
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Our project craft bail packages and advocates for our clients released from Rutgers Island.
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In the past year, our team has tragically lost 3 clients to overdose shortly after their release.
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This is for August, Jasmine, Janae, and their families.
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At the legal aid society, we know that pretrial detention equals death.
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That is why prioritizing the safety and well-being of our incarcerated clients is not just necessary.
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It is an urgent obligation.
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The Department of Corrections has repeatedly demonstrated they are not prepared, not trained, and not willing to protect incarcerated people in their care.
3:11:07
That is why today we are urging you to pass intro 206 and make it mandatory for correction officers to carry and administer Narcan.
3:11:17
Our clients have shared that overdoses are a regular occurrence at Rykers.
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In every instance, our clients are the ones who carry and administer NARCAN to save the lives of their peers.
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Some have reported that During an overdose, officers have yelled for help from other incarcerated individuals instead of intervening themselves.
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This highlights DOC's shocking unpreparedness in crisis situations.
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Every minute that passes during an overdose is a minute closer to death.
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This highlights a serious need for exactly the type of change that 206a will bring.
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Our position is clear.
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Pass intro 206a because the burden of saving lives should not fall solely on incarcerated people.
3:12:01
I also refer this committee to our written testimony, which details support and recommendations for amendments to the other bills under consideration today.
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And I think chair nurse and the bill sponsors for continuing the necessary work to address conditions of confinement that continue to harm those we serve at legal aid.
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Lastly, we are thrilled that the bill now includes language that mandates DOC to offer NARC cancets to those being released from Rykers.
3:12:29
This will help protect communities as studies show the risk of overdose as highest in the days and weeks immediately after release from custody.
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By passing intro 206 A, you are honoring the memory of August Jasmine, and Janaeah, and taking meaningful action to prevent future tragedies.
3:12:46
We urge you to make DLC act because clearly they won't do it on their own.
3:12:50
Thank you.
