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DEMOCRATIC PARTY A. LIOF ORANGE CO kJ N Resolution #18-07 RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE SANTA ANA NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM WHEREAS, needle exchange programs have repeatedly been proven to be effective, low cost public health methods for reducing infectious disease transmission as well as an effective means of used needle retrieval and Orange County has the 4' highest rate of HIV in California and nearly 1000 cases of hepatitis C and Santa Ana has the highest rate of HIV in Orange County, nearly twice the county average whereby 15.1% of new infections are caused by injection drug use; and WHEREAS, the goal of OCNEP, a State authorized program, is to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases, such as HIV and Hepatitis C by providing sterile injection and safer sex supplies, on-site HIV and Hepatitis C testing as well as referrals to drug abuse treatment services and housing for the homeless; and WHEREAS, the Santa Ana City Council recently discontinued its Memorandum of Understanding with OCNEP, eliminating these essential harm reduction services, increasing medical, law enforcement and other public costs and increasing mortality and leaving residents with no viable options; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic Party of Orange County does hereby call for immediate negotiations between all relevant Santa Ana and Orange County community health partners in an effort to re-institute these essential services; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Democratic Party of Orange County urges that these negotiations include additional options such as multiple designated safe distribution, education and use centers which are culturally sensitive and specifically address the needs of LGBTQ community and which will expand services beyond the Civic Center population. Submitted by Jeff LeTourneau, DPOC North Vice-Chair and Mohammed Aly. Executive Director Orange County Poverty Alleviation Coalition Adopted by the Democratic Party of Orange County At its February 26, 2018 Central Committee Meeting 1916 W Choprnan Avenue • Suite Li, Orancje, CA 92868 • 714 634 OEMS (-33673 Info mocriernocrats ory • www.ocdemocrats.org r-PK' ft 7421)0(; • rtc 4ico()‘,219.13 6a2)& Q ceN.