Resolution 230432
Calling on Safehouse, the United States Department of Justice, and the Mayor to halt implementation of supervised injection sites in the City of Philadelphia, to involve community groups and other branches of city government with differing views to participate in settlement negotiations, and to enforce the previous holding from the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
Introduced by
From the floor
Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.
“Good afternoon. My name is Marnie Aument-Loughrey. I am from the Kensington area of the City of Philadelphia. I'm here speaking on overlay 230410 and Resolution 230432. I am here with the community members of Kensington-Harrowgate, South Philadelphia. We have been talking about safe injection sites for over six years in our community. Basically as most people say, Kensington already is a walking safe injection site.…”
Ms. Aument-Loughrey · Stated Meeting, September 14, 2023 · Sep 14, 2023 · official transcript, this passage
“Barbara Capozzi of South Philadelphia and the Second District. I'm for the Ordinance 230410 and for the Resolution 230432, as are all my neighbors. In 35 years of advocacy, there's never been an issue that they felt more strongly about, and we've had Stated Meeting 90 9/14/2023 some very big issues in our neighborhood. Thank you to Councilman Johnson for listening to his constituents in the Second District. For some…”
Ms. Capozzi · Stated Meeting, September 14, 2023 · Sep 14, 2023 · official transcript, this passage
“Good morning. My name is Lynn Landes. I'm founder of safestreetsphilly.org and a parent who has witnessed the devastating effects of drug addiction on family members. I'm here to support Resolution 230432 and Ordinance 230410. I don't want to be repetitive about what has already been said, which I completely support, but I do want to just quickly say that we have a history of good intentions but bad consequences. Sta…”
Ms. Landes · Stated Meeting, September 14, 2023 · Sep 14, 2023 · official transcript, this passage
“That concludes today's public comment. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. I would ask Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 230432.”
Council President Clarke · Stated Meeting, September 14, 2023 · Sep 14, 2023 · official transcript, this passage
“Good afternoon. MS. McBRIDE: Good afternoon. Good afternoon. I am speaking on Resolution 230432 that was brought -introduced by Councilmembers Harrity and Lozada. I support the halt of the implementation of supervised injection sites in the City of Philadelphia. As per law, drug dealing and support of drug dealing is against the law, and nobody is Stated Meeting 108 5/25/2023 above the law. The injection sites will j…”
Council President Clarke · Stated Meeting, May 25, 2023 · May 25, 2023 · official transcript, this passage
Status timeline
- May 11, 2023Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar · CITY COUNCIL
- Sep 14, 2023ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL
Official documents
Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.
Full text
Read the full text as published
..Title Calling on Safehouse, the United States Department of Justice, and the Mayor to halt implementation of supervised injection sites in the City of Philadelphia, to involve community groups and other branches of city government with differing views to participate in settlement negotiations, and to enforce the previous holding from the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. ..Body WHEREAS, Safehouse is a non-profit organization which seeks to establish multiple safe-injection sites in the City of Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, safe-injection sites are unprecedented facilities in the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and remains uncontemplated in the City Code and Pennsylvania Statutes; and WHERAS, Safehouse has tried to establish safe-injection sites in the past, without input from both the Communities they seek to serve and from this Body; and WHEREAS, This Body has condemned Safehouse's previous attempt to open such sites without such input in Resolution No. 200195; and WHEREAS, The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has held safe-injection sites to be a violation of 21 U.S.C � 856(a)(2), which makes it illegal to manage or control a property and then knowingly open it to visitors for the purpose of using a controlled substance; and WHEREAS, The United States Department of Justice and Safehouse have begun negotiations in contravention of this ruling from the Third Circuit to open multiple safe injection sites in the City of Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, Members of this Body attempted to testify in anticipation of these settlement negotiations, but were barred from sharing their opinions by the Department of Justice; and WHEREAS, This issue is multilayered and many stakeholders, community groups, and addiction treatment professionals feel as though they are being left out of discussions about a safe-injection site; and WHEREAS, The impact of harm reduction on safe-injection sites have not been fully studied and there is no evidence that the communities which surround these sites will not suffer; and WHEREAS, There is no demonstrable impact of safe-injection sites on helping addicted individuals seek treatment and reduce their consumption of harmful and illegal drugs; and WHEREAS, During settlement negotiations the administration has indicated to both Safehouse and the Department of Justice that the City is not opposed to the implementation of safe injection sites; and WHEREAS, The administration's representation that the City and its residents are uniformly in favor of safe-injection sites is untrue, and strains credulity; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it calls on Safehouse, the United States Department of Justice and the Mayor to halt the implementation of safe-injections sites in Philadelphia, allow for more community involvement and involvement of other City Government officials to truly and accurately provide the correct assessment of safe injection sites on our City. ..End