Sincerely,
Gavin Newsom
OFFICE
OF
THE
GOVERNOR
AUG
2 2
2022
To
the
Members
of
the
California State Senate:
I
am
returning Senate
Bill
57
without
my
signature.
This
bill authorizes certain jurisdictions
to
approve
any
number
of
"overdose
prevention programs," often referred
to
as
safe injection or consumption
sites,
where
individuals
may
use illegal controlled substances
at
supervised facilities.
I
have
long supported
the
cutting
edge
of
harm
reduction
strategies. However, I
am
acutely
concerned
about
the
operations
of
safe injection
sites
without
strong,
engaged
local leadership
and
well-documented,
vetted,
and
thoughtfu
l
operational
and
sustainability plans.
The
unlimited
number
of
safe injection
sites
that
this
bill
would
authorize -
facilities
which
could
exist well into
the
later
part
of
this
decade
-
could
induce
a world
of
unintended
consequences.
It
is
possible
that
these
sites
would
help
improve
the safety
and
health
of
our urban areas,
but
if
done
without
a strong
plan,
they
could
work against
this
purpose. These
unintended
consequences
in
cities like
Los
Angeles, San Francisco,
and
Oakland
cannot
be
taken lightly.
Worsening drug consumption challenges
in
these areas
is
not a
risk
we
can
take.
We should strive to ensure our innovative efforts
are
well
planned,
even
when
they
start
as
pilots,
to
help
mitigate
the
potential
for
unintended
impacts.
Therefore, I
am
instructing
the
Secretary
of
Health
and
Human Services
to
convene
city
and
county
officials
to
discuss minimum standards
and
best
practices for safe
and
sustainable overdose prevention programs. I remain
open
to
this
discussion
when
those
local
officials
come
back
to
the
Legislature with
recommendations
for a truly limited pilot
program
- with comprehensive plans
for
sitin
, operations,
community
partnerships,
and
fiscal sustainability
that
grams will
be
run safely
and
effectively.
demon
trate
how
thes p
GOVERNOR
GAVIN
NEWSOM•
SACRAMENTO, CA
95814
• (916) 445-2841
~
Senate Bill 57
