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Flores, Dora <br />From: Jeffrey Katz < <br />Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 5:11 PM <br />To: eComment <br />Subject: Item #27 - Needle Exchange Program <br />Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. <br />I am writing to express my support for the resolution opposing the implementation of the Needle Exchange <br />Program (NEP) in Santa Ana. As a resident of Ward 3, 1 am intimately familiar with the challenges posed by <br />homelessness in our community, and I believe that the NEP is not the appropriate solution to address these <br />issues. <br />On a daily basis, I witness the struggles of individuals experiencing homelessness, many of whom are <br />substance users. While I acknowledge that the NEP is well-intentioned and seeks to reduce the spread of <br />diseases among injection drug users, it operates under the assumption of compliance by demographic that has <br />historically demonstrated little desire or capacity for compliance. Needles will litter our City along with the <br />refuse that is habitually abandoned in our public spaces. <br />Implementing the NEP in Santa Ana has the potential to have a deleterious impact on our neighborhoods, <br />which are already burdened by the challenges associated with homelessness. The program will contribute, <br />without a doubt, to an increase in discarded needles in public spaces, posing safety risks to residents and <br />exacerbating concerns about community cleanliness. <br />If, in fact, NEPs have value, I believe the harm they pose to our community members far outweighs the utility.. <br />I respectfully urge you to continue your efforts to encourage the State to deny the application for the NEP <br />program in Santa Ana. <br />Kesher Law Group <br />Jeffrey A. Katz I Attorney at Law <br /> <br />Santa Ana, CA 92706 <br />Direct Dial: ( <br />Email: <br />