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City council asks solicitor to draft ordinance limiting on‑street syringe distribution near schools and parks
Summary
After councilors and public speakers described hundreds of discarded syringes in several neighborhoods, the City Council voted to ask the city solicitor to draft an ordinance banning on‑site syringe distribution within 1,000 feet of schools (and near parks) and to return with a draft for committee review.
The Lowell City Council on Tuesday voted to direct the city solicitor to draft an ordinance prohibiting on‑street syringe distribution within 1,000 feet of schools and near city parks, after members and residents described repeated finds of discarded syringes in public places.
Councilors raised the issue during a lengthy public discussion that included data and comments from public‑health staff and neighborhood leaders. Councilor Mesha Mercia, who said she and Councilor Dakota co‑authored the motion, told the council the intent was to keep syringe distribution away from playgrounds and schools.
"I think that at some point, we're just leaving these needles in playgrounds and areas that just are so close to where people can just hand them out," Councilor Gichia said during debate. "We're picking up a lot of needles in those areas," she added.
Miss Golden, the Board of Health official who addressed the council, said programs that operate in Lowell must report to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and provide an annual report to the Board of Health. "Any needle exchange program in the city of Lowell has to report to the Board of Health within a year," she said, and confirmed there are two registered programs currently operating part time in the city and that they submit usage data to the state.
Councilors and staff discussed concerns raised in public testimony and by business owners, including an account of 100 needles found on a roof that required private remediation. Some councilors pressed for stronger penalties for unpermitted distribution and for requiring more frequent reporting from programs. Councilor Robinson urged that the city consider whether distribution of syringes should occur indoors rather than on streets or in parks.
The council voted to refer the motion to the city solicitor to prepare an ordinance. Councilors also discussed forwarding the draft to the city's substance abuse subcommittee for further review and possible additional language; the council requested that the solicitor prepare a stringent draft for consideration.
No ordinance text was adopted Tuesday; the action was a direction to the solicitor to prepare language and return it for council consideration.
Ending: The council's motion sends the issue to the solicitor's office for drafting; councilors said they expect a return to committee and further debate before any ordinance would take effect.
