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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Gia Mitcham, New York Policy Associate at Drug Policy Alliance, on Syringe Service Programs
2:04:14
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Gia Mitcham, representing the Drug Policy Alliance, testified in opposition to Intros 868 and 1169, arguing that these bills would limit the accessibility and effectiveness of Syringe Service Programs (SSPs) in reducing drug-related harms. She emphasized the importance of mobile SSPs in providing essential services and cleanup in areas including schools and playgrounds.
- Mitcham highlighted that SSPs are a response to existing drug use and associated harms in communities.
- She expressed concerns about Intro 1169's reporting requirements, which she believes could create an incomplete picture of syringe disposal mechanisms.
- Mitcham advocated for a combination of strategies to address syringe litter, including reducing stigma and increasing access to care for people who use drugs.
Gia Mitcham
2:04:14
Okay good afternoon chairs, thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
2:04:20
My name is Gia Mitchum, I am the New York Policy Associate at the Drug Policy Alliance.
2:04:24
We are an advocacy organization working with grassroots groups and providers to address the harms of drug use and drug criminalization through health solutions, social supports and community well-being.
2:04:36
We are here to oppose intros eight sixty eight and eleven sixty nine.
2:04:41
These bills would stifle the positive impact syringe service provider programs are having in reducing the harms associated with drug use by limiting their accessibility of their services.
2:04:51
I want to start by reminding the council that SSPs are a response to where drug use is already happening and it's a response to the harms associated with drug use and the ways people who use drugs have been pushed away from care that supports them and communities.
2:05:08
We share the goal for litter to in our city to be adequately and properly properly removed from public spaces.
2:05:15
Intro eight sixty eight would interfere with syringe litter cleanup that SSPs provide through mobile outreach programs.
2:05:22
Mobile syringe service programs are street based teams that provide a range of services in response to individual health needs of people who use drugs and broader community needs.
2:05:32
Mobile SSPs provide services where there is a need and this includes responding to needs near schools in and around playgrounds and surrounding parks.
2:05:41
So prohibiting syringe distribution in these areas means that schools and playgrounds would be effectively excluded from receiving the range of services that mobile teams provide including syringe cleanup, emergency overdose response and connections to health and social services.
2:05:56
Intro eleven sixty nine contains a reporting provision about syringe distribution and collection by SSPs that disregards the multiple ways syringes are acquired and disposed of.
2:06:07
In fact the council passed a bill to create a syringe buyback pilot program that is about to launch and we have serious concerns that Intro eleven sixty nine will create an incomplete picture of syringe disposal mechanisms that will be used to limit SSP services.
2:06:23
Like other litter, syringe litter requires a combination of investments and strategies to address reduced stigma, increased access to care for people who use drugs and increased capacity for litter cleanup are among the interventions that this council should consider.
2:06:38
So we urge the committee not to advance intros eight sixty eight and eleven sixty nine.
2:06:42
Thank you.