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INGTON OFFICE <br />WASH <br />LUIS CORREA <br />HousE <br />2391 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BLIlLDING <br />L. <br />was(202)2N--2965 15 <br />46TH DISTRICT CALIFORNIA <br />12021225-29fi5 <br />r <br />SANTA ANA DISTRICT OFFICE <br />Congregg of the Uniteb *tateg <br />2323 N. BRSUITE 3 <br />oaowpY, SUITE 19 <br />SANTA ANA, CA 92706 <br />M41559-6190 <br />Jbouse of Repretentatibeg <br />WRAI1110011, W 20515 <br />April 16th, 2024 <br />Dear Neighbors and Fellow Community Members, <br />HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS <br />SENIOR WHIP <br />HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY <br />RANKING MEMBER, SLIDCOMM{TTEE ON BORDER <br />SECURITY, FACILITATION, AND OPERATEONB <br />SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE <br />AND COUNTERTERRORISM <br />HOUSE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY <br />RANKING MEMBER, SUBCOMMITTEE oIy THE <br />ADMINISTRATIVE STATE, REGULATORY REFORM, <br />AND ANTITRUST <br />SUBCOMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION INTEGRITY, SEcuR". <br />AND ENFORCEMENT$ <br />The purpose of this letter is to express my concerns and opposition to the Needle Exchange <br />Program in Santa Ana. Since 2016, the Orange County Needle Exchange has been the source of <br />great contention for city leaders and community members due to public health and safety <br />concerns. <br />The effects and risks of this program center on statistics that show the program does not have <br />adequate resources to prevent or properly clean Lip the needles that end up as litter, creating a <br />clear threat to families and children using public spaces such as parks, libraries, and sidewalks <br />throughout the city. <br />The Harm Reduction Institute in the State of California states that out of the 300,000 needles that <br />are provided to 500 people annually, only about 180,000 are collected, leaving 120,000 needles <br />unaccounted for. <br />While it is important to reduce disease and overdoses for the homeless population in our <br />community, it is also important to be aware of the effects and risks that could impact the <br />thousands of people who live in and visit the City of Santa Ana. <br />I join with Mayor Valerie Amezcua and community members to urge the Harm Reduction <br />Institute and California Department of Public Health to find an alternative way to provide clean <br />needles to those the program is intended to serve, one that keeps used needles out of our parks <br />and playgrounds. <br />Respectfully, <br />J. LUIS CORREA <br />Member of Congress <br />CORREA. HOUSE. GOV <br />