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Harm Reduction. Education. Prevention. Relationship-Building. Promoting practical, efficient, & real solutions for a healthier Stanislaus County.
Questions? Call Hep C: 411
1-800-391-1709 / Bridge Code 888185
EVERY TUESDAY, from 7PM - 7:30PM PST
Hear from experts & others living with Hep C. Ask questions or just listen in. Its Free. Its Anonymous.
Hep C: 411 is a project of the non-profit O.A.S.I.S Clinic in Oakland, CA. They do amazing work! www.oasiscliniconline.org
EVERY TUESDAY, from 7PM - 7:30PM PST
Hear from experts & others living with Hep C. Ask questions or just listen in. Its Free. Its Anonymous.
Hep C: 411 is a project of the non-profit O.A.S.I.S Clinic in Oakland, CA. They do amazing work! www.oasiscliniconline.org
Syringe Exchange Programs:
- DO NOT encourage the use of illegal drugs
- DO NOT increase criminal activity
- DO reduce injection drug use and other risky behaviors
- DO increase enrollment in drug treatment programs
- DO reduce HIV and Hepatitis C trasmissions
- DO NOT promote substance abuse
*POLL* What is the biggest challenge of authorizing syringe exchange locally?
Legal Update: Medical Necessity Defense Ruled Not an Option for Public Health Volunteers
Two volunteers facing charges for their involvement with an Airport District syringe exchange program were back in court on May 17. Judge Ricardo Cordova ruled on several points, including the addition of tourniquets, sterile cookers , sterile water, and cotton balls to the DAs definition of "paraphernalia". These items will be allowed to be considered as drug paraphernalia when the defendants face a jury presumably sometime later this year.
The most disheartening ruling came in regards to the use of a medical necessity defense. Judge Cordova heard from both sides of the table regarding the 6 stipulations necessary for the defense team to fulfill. There was lengthy discussion around "emergency" and the "imminent need" of syringe access programs. In the end, he found item 3 regarding "legal alternatives" problematic and ruled against the defendants. A medical necessity defense will not be allowed.
He stated that legal alternatives for the defandant's actions in fact do exist : 1) doing the work necessary to get local leaders to authorize, or 2) to vote those leaders out. He also added that the actions of the defendants were politically motivated. This is very frustrating for obvious reasons. Most frustrating - while the "legal alternatives" as stated by the judge continue on as they have for several years, users are still spreading disease, people are still dying, people are still addicted, and money is still being shoved down the drain.
And the insult? Simply stated, any alleged actions by the defendants were absolutely NOT politically motivated. This is about public health, common sense economics, and human life. YES, HUMAN LIFE. Ill-informed members of the community have made this political and public health, community health, family health is suffering.
Please join Off the Streets in supporting these public health workers and syringe access authorization for Stanislaus County.
NEXT COURT DATE:
Stanislaus County Courthouse
800 11th Street
Downtown Modesto
AUGUST 2, 2010 @ 8:30 AM in Dept. 8
Upcoming trial dates TBA
For more information or to find out how you can help, contact Off the Streets Project at offthestreetsproject@yahoo.com.
The most disheartening ruling came in regards to the use of a medical necessity defense. Judge Cordova heard from both sides of the table regarding the 6 stipulations necessary for the defense team to fulfill. There was lengthy discussion around "emergency" and the "imminent need" of syringe access programs. In the end, he found item 3 regarding "legal alternatives" problematic and ruled against the defendants. A medical necessity defense will not be allowed.
He stated that legal alternatives for the defandant's actions in fact do exist : 1) doing the work necessary to get local leaders to authorize, or 2) to vote those leaders out. He also added that the actions of the defendants were politically motivated. This is very frustrating for obvious reasons. Most frustrating - while the "legal alternatives" as stated by the judge continue on as they have for several years, users are still spreading disease, people are still dying, people are still addicted, and money is still being shoved down the drain.
And the insult? Simply stated, any alleged actions by the defendants were absolutely NOT politically motivated. This is about public health, common sense economics, and human life. YES, HUMAN LIFE. Ill-informed members of the community have made this political and public health, community health, family health is suffering.
Please join Off the Streets in supporting these public health workers and syringe access authorization for Stanislaus County.
NEXT COURT DATE:
Stanislaus County Courthouse
800 11th Street
Downtown Modesto
AUGUST 2, 2010 @ 8:30 AM in Dept. 8
Upcoming trial dates TBA
For more information or to find out how you can help, contact Off the Streets Project at offthestreetsproject@yahoo.com.
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Important Links
- Ana Liffey Drug Project
- California Department of Health : Office of AIDS
- Centers for Disease Control: Syringe Exchange Programs
- Central Valley Harm Reduction Blog
- Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposal
- Drug Policy Alliance Network
- Exchange Supplies
- Harm Reduction Coalition
- Housing Works
- Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative
- International Harm Reduction Association
- Issues in Injection Drug Use - Blog
- Methadone Treatment Directory
- National Hepatitis C Coalition
- Organization to Achieve Solutions in Substance Abuse (OASIS) Clinic
- Stanislaus Community Assistance Project
- Stanislaus County Health Services Agency: 2006 Community Health Report, Strength in Unity
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Results from Benefit by Ashley Fairburn ~
ReplyDeleteRain kept the gathering small, but about 20-30 people showed up to enjoy the Modesto Needle Exchange Legal Defense Fund Benefit.
Performers included Watercolor Paintings, Johnny Young, Fern, and Taylor Price. Fresno Needle Exchange volunteer and California Prison
Moratorium Project organizer Ashley Fairburn spoke on behalf of the Modesto Needle Exchange defendants. About $112 was raised a great discussions about the efficacy of syringe exchange were had.
Thanx to Fresno C.A.F.E. Infoshop, Ashley, Bands, & who all that attended.
Love,
Modesto NEP legal Defense crew