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VICENTE SARMIENTO <br />C.]; ONace] =.Z•ln1u-d:Z•711NDX0]Z.Y�1]aaWOf. 0101 <br />SUPERVISOR, SECOND DISTRICT <br />COUNTY ADMINISTRATION NORTH <br />400 W. CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, 6T" FLOOR <br />SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92701 <br />PHONE (714) 834-3220 <br />HTTP://SU PERVISORSARMIENTO.COM <br />April 16, 2024 <br />RE: Letter of Opposition to Harm Reduction Institute's Application for a Mobile Needle <br />Exchange in the City of Santa Ana. <br />Dear Mayor Amezcua, <br />Thank you for reaching out to gather support in opposing the negative impacts that a mobile needle <br />distribution program run by the Harm Reduction Institute would cause to Santa Ana residents. I <br />welcome the City to take up our offer to have our County Health Officer assist in responding to the <br />latest application. <br />During my time as a City Councilmember, Mayor, and now County Supervisor, I have consistently <br />raised concerns of the disproportionate burden being placed on our working-class Latino community. <br />My Supervisorial office worked closely with the OC Healthcare Agency to document and relay these <br />concerns to the CA Department of Public Health in a letter sent on May loth, 2023 [Attachment 1]. <br />On May 23rd, 2023, I proceeded to bring this letter to the attention of the full Board of Supervisors and <br />secured an official stance from the Board in support of the letter sent by the OC Healthcare Agency <br />[Attachments 2 & 3]. My office went on to encourage residents of the 2nd District to submit their <br />concerns during the previous public comment period [Attachment - 4]. <br />I remain committed to opposing the application as the concerns that were raised last year have not been <br />adequately addressed and I agree that HRI is not able to mitigate the harm caused by the proliferation <br />of needles that their service will impose upon our community. I will continue to work with County <br />staff to respond in all channels available to us and will include the City of Santa Ana in my efforts to <br />oppose the opening of a mobile needle exchange in our City. <br />Sincerely, <br />44" <br /> Sarmiento <br />Supervisor, Second District <br />Orange County Board of Supervisors <br />Attachment 1 - May 10, 2023 - OC Healthcare Agency — Letter to CDPH <br />Attachment 2 - May 23, 2023 - Board of Supervisor's Agenda Item S59C <br />Attachment 3 - May 23, 2023 - Board of Supervisor's Resolution [Item S59C] <br />Attachment 4 - May 25, 2023 - Newsletter Announcement <br />