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Council Member Linda Lee's opening remarks on harm reduction and syringe services
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3 min
Council Member Linda Lee opens the hearing by introducing three pieces of legislation related to syringe service programs and addiction treatment training. She emphasizes the importance of harm reduction strategies while acknowledging the need to address community concerns about syringe litter and public safety.
- Lee introduces Intro 868, Intro 1169, and Resolution 317, explaining their main provisions.
- She welcomes attending council members and a group of high school students observing the hearing.
- Lee provides context on the city's use of opioid settlement funds and the role of harm reduction services in public health.
Linda Lee
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Good morning, good to see all of you here today.
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My name is Linda Lee and chair of the Committee on Mental Health Disabilities and Addictions and I just want to thank everyone for joining us at today's hearing on introduction numbers eight sixty eight sponsored council member Oswald Feliz which would prohibit the distribution of hypodermic syringes and needles by mobile syringe service programs within four fifty feet of schools and playgrounds.
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Introduction number 1169 also sponsored by council member Feliz in relation to the safe collection and disposal of needles and syringes.
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And lastly we are hearing resolution three seventeen sponsored by myself which calls on the state to mandate basic training in addiction treatment as a requirement for medical schools that receive state funding.
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Before I begin, I'd like to recognize we have been joined by the following council members, of course council member Felice who's here to give a statement And then on Zoom we have council member Hanif as well as council member Abreyu.
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And we have also been joined by, feel free to raise your hand, high school for health professions.
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If you guys are here on that section over there, welcome welcome.
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And as I understand you guys are AP government students, very awesome.
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Hopefully you will think about a career in public service which is amazing.
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I was in nonprofit for twenty years so I really highly encourage you guys whether it's on the nonprofit side or government side, think about public service and contributing to your community.
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So I'm just glad you guys are here.
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This is a big part of it is coming in and listening to these hearings and learning about what we do on the city council so I just want to thank you guys as well as your teachers who have brought you here.
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Oh yes, Deborah Falmino, am I saying that correctly?
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Okay and then also we have mister Logan who I don't know if yeah.
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You're a teacher you look so young.
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Oh okay got it, I was like wow you look very young first teacher.
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Awesome, so thank you all for being here I appreciate it.
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Last month the committee held a hearing examining how the city is using money from the opioid settlement funds to address the ongoing opioid crisis including investing in evidence based treatments and harm reduction services.
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Harm reduction is a critical public health strategy that saves lives, promotes safety and fosters healthier communities.
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In New York City harm reduction services play an essential role in reducing the transmission of HIV, hepatitis C and other infectious diseases.
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Research consistently shows that such programs reduce harm without increasing drug mis misuse making them a vital part of our public health infrastructure.
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As we continue to expand harm reduction efforts we must also work together to ensure that our communities remain safe and free from syringe litter.
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Safe syringe disposal is a shared responsibility, one that protects public spaces, prevents accidental needle sticks and fosters trust between harm reduction programs and the neighborhoods they serve.
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Balancing harm reduction with community well-being requires collaboration between public health officials, harm reduction advocates and local residents.
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By continuing to invest in both syringe service programs and effective disposal solutions, we can build a city that prioritizes both compassion and public safety.
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I wanna turn the mic over to council member Feliz at this moment to make a statement about his bills that he's intro that we're discussing today.