Correspondence - Item 27 - Laserfiche WebLink

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To: Clerk of the Board From: Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, 2nd District Date: May 19, 2023 RE: Supplemental Item for May 23, 2023, Board of Supervisors Meeting; Resolution in Support of May 10, 2023, Letter from County Health Officer to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) The Harm Reduction Institute (HRI) recently applied to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for authorization to add home delivery and pick-up of syringe needles to its current harm reduction program in Santa Ana, California. In accordance with requirements in Health and Safety Code Section 121349, and prior to approving HRI application's, the CDPH was required to provide notice to and consult with the local health officer of Orange County and the chief of police of the City of Santa Ana. On April 10, 2023, the CDPH contacted the Health Officer for Orange County, Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, DO, by email, to inform her of HRI's application and request her consultation. In accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 121349, public comments may be submitted in writing to CDPH until 11:59 p.m., May 26, 2023. On May 10, 2023, County Health Officer Regina Chinsio-Kwong provided a detailed letter to CDPH, noting that Orange County, and specifically, the City of Santa Ana, had negative experiences with syringe exchange programs, including both the OC Needle Exchange Program (OCNEP) (2016-2018) and HRI (2019-2022). In her May 10, 2023, letter, Dr. Chinsio-Kwong included detailed, well -reasoned, and appropriate recommendations as to how the CDPH and HRI can take steps to mitigate the direct threats to both environmental health and public caused posed by syringe litter, including, but not limited to, (1) requiring HRI to hold regular meetings with HCA Environmental Health Services; (2) requiring HRI to dispense syringes with enhanced safety measures and easy identification; (3) requiring HRI to implement effective strategies for syringe needle disposal and collection; (4) requiring HRI to provide counseling services, linkage to behavioral health and medical services, and follow up on referrals placed; and (5) requiring HRI to collect data and monitor positive and negative impacts of the needle exchange program.