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Q&A

Discussion on the placement of needle exchange programs

1:22:55

·

69 sec

Council Member Feliz inquires about rules for placing needle exchange programs, particularly near sensitive areas like children's libraries or schools. Acting Health Commissioner Morse responds by emphasizing the department's alignment with safety concerns and program effectiveness.

Morse acknowledges the need for impactful and safe program locations
She highlights the increase in overdose rates, particularly in Black and Hispanic communities
Morse offers to follow up with specifics on program types and placement processes

Oswald Feliz

1:22:55

Are there any rules for the placement of these programs, such as not placing them in front of a children's library or in front of elementary school when we know there's gonna be hundreds of needles in the surrounding community?

Michelle Morse

1:23:06

I do appreciate the concern, and we certainly, are aligned with you around wanting to make sure that these programs are placed in the locations where they can be the most impactful and also are safe, for the communities where they are are located.

1:23:21

So we very much are aligned on intent, of both wanting to significantly decrease the rate of overdose across the city, which, as was noted in the 2021 healthy NYC data, we had significant increases in overdose amongst black and Hispanic communities in particular.

1:23:39

And so we want to change that trend, and we know that we need to implement interventions that are going to be lifesaving lifesaving and do so in a way that is safe for the public.

1:23:51

So we're aligned with you in terms of the intent and in terms of achieving the healthy NYC goal.

1:23:57

We'd be happy to follow-up with you about any specifics around the proportion of what kind of programs we offer for overdose

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Debate on potential rules for placement of needle exchange programs