HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12141993 - S.5 S' 5
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Contra
FROM: Supervisor Tom Powers Costa
DATE: December 14, 1993 County
SUBJECT: Ordinance to Establish a Needle Exchange Program
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)& BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Declare a public health emergency exists in Contra Costa County
because intravenous drug users are spreading the AIDS virus with
infected needles.
2. Consider adopting a county ordinance that would allow clean syringe
needles to be distributed to intravenous drug users to prevent the
spread of HIV infections.
BACKGROUND:
1. African-American intravenous drug users in West County have the
highest rate of HIV infections in the State of California.
2. Public health and medical professionals are frustrated with the rapid
spread of the deadly virus.
3. A group of West County doctors has encouraged the Board of
Supervisors to adopt an ordinance similar to the Marin County ordinance
which allows the distribution of clean syringe needles to drug users.
They are asking for this action because they believe this is the only
way the spread of AIDS can be slowed until a cure is found.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: __LYES SIGNATURE*.
-RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON ppr-emb,-r 14, 1 9c)3 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER X
The Board REFERRED to the Director of Health Services and County Counsel to develop a
program, or alternative to the above recommendation of Supervisor Powers.
Henry Clarke of Local 1, and Phyllis Roff appeared to speak on the above matter.
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS 15 A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS(ABSENT AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
;C: Director of Health Services ATTESTED- December 14, 1993
County Counsel PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
County Administrator SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADIAJNISTRATOR
BY DEPUTY
A382 110'881
4. The Board of Supervisors has adopted a position to support a needle
exchange program that is accompanied by education and community
acceptance. Unfortunately, a law to clear the exchange program was vetoed
this year for the second time by Governor Wilson, who stated clearly
in his veto message that he would not sign such a law.
5. In San Francisco and Marin Counties, local laws have been passed to
permit needles exchange programs. While there is some question about
the Marin ordinance which needs to be clarified by County Counsel,
adopting a similar ordinance together with issuing a public health
emergency declaration may be the only steps necessary for Contra Costa
County to be able to offer this type of program.
Ordinance to Establish Needle Exchange Program
December 14, 1993