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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Importance of evidence-based interventions and potential impacts of proposed legislation
0:18:22
ยท
72 sec
Linn-Walton concludes by emphasizing the importance of evidence-based interventions in addressing the overdose crisis and expresses concerns about potential negative impacts of the proposed legislation.
- Syringe exchange services are proven public health interventions backed by decades of research
- The proposed changes may increase syringe litter and negatively impact public health
- States that have rolled back syringe exchange services have seen increases in HIV cases and other unintended health consequences
- The department remains committed to supporting evidence-based interventions while working with the council to address syringe litter concerns
Rebecca Linn-Walton
0:18:22
Together these dynamics will create confusion and operational obstacles which will increase barriers to life saving services, those that are critical to achieving the healthy NYC goal of reducing overdose deaths and controlling the spread of infectious disease.
0:18:37
Syringe exchange services are proven public health interventions backed by decades of research and science.
0:18:44
The city supports a more aggressive response to syringe litter but these changes may actually have the opposite intended impact, increasing syringe litter and negatively impact the health of all New Yorkers.
0:18:56
We cannot afford to remove or impede any tools that we know reduce overdose deaths.
0:19:02
States and municipalities that rolled back syringe exchange services have seen increases in HIV cases and other grave unintended health consequences.
0:19:12
The department remains committed to supporting evidence based interventions that reduce the spread of infectious disease and risk of overdose death.
0:19:21
We are also committed to partnership with the council and other community stakeholders to find more solutions for syringe litter impact on quality of life.
0:19:30
Thank you for the opportunity to testify and I look forward to answering your questions.