Q&A
Debate on potential rules for placement of needle exchange programs
1:24:05
·
68 sec
Council Member Feliz presses Acting Health Commissioner Morse on whether there should be rules against placing needle exchange programs near children's areas. Morse struggles to provide a direct answer.
- Feliz asks if it's good policy to place programs near children's playgrounds
- Morse mentions partnering with state agencies for program certification
- Morse consistently defers to following up later with specifics on placement processes
Oswald Feliz
1:24:05
prevention.
1:24:05
Yeah.
1:24:05
And I guess to be clear, you know, I agree these programs are life saving, but I guess my points are about the placement of these programs.
1:24:12
If we know placing them in certain areas will bring hundreds of needles on a daily basis, Why place them in front of a children's playground or in front of a children's library or elementary school?
1:24:21
If I could just ask 2 to 3 more questions briefly.
1:24:24
2 more.
1:24:25
Okay.
1:24:25
Cool.
1:24:25
That's fair.
1:24:26
Do you think there should be rules on the placement of these programs such as not placing them in front of a children's playground?
1:24:35
Or do you think that's good policy to place them in front of a children's playground?
Michelle Morse
1:24:39
I would be happy to follow-up with more specifics on the rules that decide
Oswald Feliz
1:24:43
But the question is, do you think there should be rules on the placement of these programs, or do you think it's good policy, for example, to place them in front of a children's playground?
Michelle Morse
1:24:51
We do partner closely with the state and OASAS on both certification of the programs that are intended to reduce overdose and increase access to medically assisted treatment.
1:25:03
And so we do partner with our state colleagues on some of that.
1:25:06
We would have to follow-up with you on any of the specifics about how placement of the programs happens.
