REMARKS
Bronx Borough President Gibson details local initiatives and ongoing challenges
1:52:26
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112 sec
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson elaborates on local efforts to address the opioid crisis, highlighting interagency coordination and the critical situation in the South Bronx. She emphasizes the need for equitable distribution of resources and support for local service providers.
- Describes successful interagency efforts in areas like Kingsbridge
- Expresses concern about the worsening situation in the South Bronx
- Advocates for equitable funding distribution and support for experienced local organizations
Vanessa L. Gibson
1:52:26
Thank you.
1:52:27
Thank you so much, Chaz.
1:52:28
And I will just finally add that what we've done in areas of great concern like Kingsbridge, the underpass was a source of syringes and needles, and we really had to develop an interagency coordination because we realized the service providers needed help, but the agencies needed help.
1:52:45
So we had NYPD.
1:52:46
We had BoomHealth.
1:52:48
We had, some of our FQHCs.
1:52:50
We had, some of our other providers from sanitation, the parks department, DOT, elected officials.
1:52:56
It was all hands on deck.
1:52:58
And and what I've seen now in the hub is really a a situation that's spiraling out of control.
1:53:04
It is really bad in the South Bronx, and I definitely need to make sure that organizations like SATUR, the Saint Anne's Corner Harm Reduction, and and and Samaritan and Daytop and many others that are a part of this work, I really need to make sure that they get the support.
1:53:19
Because sometimes you have cases where there's an RFP, there's some sort of a competitive process, and then our Bronx providers are left out or they are not, you know, in the competitive bidding process.
1:53:31
So I do wanna make sure that whatever process we come up with, there's an, equitable distribution, and there's a recognition of those that have been on the ground.
1:53:40
The drug epidemic started back in the seventies eighties for a reason.
1:53:44
Right?
1:53:44
And we got our way out of that, and now we're seeing the nuance with opioid, with fentanyl that's happening.
1:53:50
Look at what happened in one of my day care centers in the in the Bronx last year.
1:53:54
And so this is a real, call to action and a real threat on our health and public safety.
1:54:00
And so I'm so grateful that we have allies like the both of you in the city council.
1:54:06
While you represent Brooklyn and Queens, you also represent the Bronx too.
1:54:10
So I just say thank you for your support, for your partnership, and to our health, partners.
1:54:16
We look forward to this work ahead.
1:54:17
Thank you so much.