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Mitre -Ramirez, Norma From: Emalie Huriaux < Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2017 4:11 PM To: Pulido, Miguel; Sarmiento, Vicente; Martinez, Michele; Solorio, Jose; Benavides, David; Villegas, Juan; Tinajero, Sal Cc: eComment; Carol Newark Subject: Concern regarding potential displacement of social services in the Civic Center area To the Mayor and Members of the Santa Ana City Council, I am writing on behalf of the California Hepatitis Alliance (CaIHEP) to express concern about the City Council meeting this evening and the potential displacement of social services from the Civic Center area, in particular the services provided by the Orange County Needle Exchange Program (OCNEP). Founded in 2006, CaIHEP is an alliance of more than 100 organizations dedicated to reducing the scope and consequences of the hepatitis B and C epidemics in California, which disproportionately affect California's ethnic communities and the socioeconomically underserved. CaIHEP includes among its membership public health departments, community-based organizations, clinics and health care agencies, county hepatitis task forces, and others committed to eliminating viral hepatitis. CaIHEP's work focuses on advocating for sound policies, promoting evidence -based and culturally competent education, and broadening access to services. Supporting syringe exchange programs (which have a crucial role in preventing infectious diseases among people who inject drupe, providing resources to address the opioid overdose crisis, and linking people to health care, drug treatment, and other social services) is consistent with our mission. As you may know, OCNEP, is authorized to operate by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for a period of two years (February 11, 2016 through February 11, 2018) at the Santa Ana Civic Center. When OCNEP first discussed providing services with the City of Santa Ana, it planned to provide them at the Orange County LGBT Center, but specifically moved them to the Civic Center based on the request from the City of Santa Ana. Displacing this program will leave people without access to critical lifesaving services. CaIHEP urges the City Council to ensure that there is no disruption to the services provided by OCNEP. Syringe exchange services must be provided in an area of the city that will reach people most in need (i.e., people who inject drugs). Any change to OCNEP's service location must be done through a thoughtful and deliberate process and done with sufficient lead time so the program can communicate the location change to participants and ensure no one currently using their services is unable to find them. If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Emalie Huriaux; MPH Director of Federal & State Affairs, Project Inform