With the recent lawsuit ending NVHRC’s needle distribution program, “we won” statements could be seen from online commenters all the way to Assemblyman James Gallaghers political page. As hard as it is for the program’s objectors to see, no one won with this outcome.
Needle litter will continue, communicable disease will increase, and we are still without accessible treatment options for the majority.
The program was never about the city and who runs it, but about the people who needed it and our voice to advocate for them. The people needed the program because they have an addiction first and foremost.
That addiction originated from a lack of resources in responding to stress, anxiety, and pain. Our concentrated efforts should be on providing adequate mental health services and trauma prevention, coupled with successful treatment programs.
Those services are not accessible enough here due to a lack of support and funding. James Gallagher is an Assemblyman that is required to advocate for funding to bring to Butte County so that our county can provide those services, and he has failed.
Instead of advocating for more resources, he has personally funded the dissolution of the needle program and aided in smear campaigns for any politician supporting it.
We need to apply pressure to him to do better for our community. He has a responsibility that he’s failed at, and our community has suffered because of it. Lastly, we can vote out politicians that fail to grasp the importance of these services come November.
— Jesica Giannola, Chico
