New York City Councilmember Oswald Feliz has introduced legislation requiring the city to clean up discarded needles near needle exchange sites, citing concerns about public safety and the impact on communities.
New York City Councilmember Oswald Feliz , representing District 15, introduced legislation on Thursday aimed at addressing the issue of discarded needles near needle exchange sites. The proposal instructs the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to formulate a plan for cleaning up the accumulation of needles littering parks and sidewalks.
While needle exchange programs, which provide clean needles to drug users, are intended to mitigate the risk of infections associated with reused needles, Feliz asserts that additional measures are necessary to safeguard the public. 'Needle exchange programs can be life-saving, but we must ensure these programs are implemented responsibly,' Feliz stated in an interview with the New York Post. 'Communities should not have to cope with discarded used needles in our parks, libraries, and even school playgrounds, creating unwelcoming and unsafe environments for entire communities.'Feliz previously expressed his concerns regarding the placement of a mobile needle exchange site near a children's library in December, writing a letter to city health officials. He highlighted the creation of unsafe conditions, including illicit drug use and the discarding of used syringes in library restrooms. He further noted instances of individuals under the influence exhibiting erratic behavior inside the library, causing distress among visitors. 'The distribution of needles in front of a children’s library is outrageous, irresponsible, and difficult to comprehend, especially when coming from health professionals, and from an administration who says safety is a top priority,' Feliz wrote. This legislation follows a similar call from Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., urging New York City Mayor Eric Adams to dismantle the 'open-air drug markets' in the South Bronx this month. Torres argued that the mayor would 'never tolerate' drug activity outside his official residence and asserted that South Bronx residents deserve the same 'quality of life.' Feliz's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The National News Desk (TNND) on Thursday.
Health NYC Needle Exchange Oswald Feliz Public Safety Drug Use Legislation
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