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| | 1. | | Call to order.
Minutes note: Meeting called to order at 10:26 a.m.
Present 4 - Baker, Murphy, Marie-Carls and Cervera
Absent 2 - Rainey and Mathy
Excused 6 - Loebel, Westrich, Lappen, Peterson, Lerner and Macias | | | |
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| | 2. | | Introduction of members present.
Minutes note: Ald. Murphy opened the meeting and gave opening remarks. The purpose of the community meeting is to gain public input. Despite a low turnout today, the hope is for a bigger turnout at the next special community meeting on Saturday, November 28, 2017 at 10 a.m. at Humboldt Park Pavilion.
Members made brief introductions.
Ald. Murphy said that a summary of the task force work plan was made available for review.
Commissioner Baker joined the committee at 10:30 a.m. | | | |
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| | 3. | | Public comments.
Minutes note: Commissioner Baker called forward individuals who had signed in to speak.
Individuals appearing to give public comments:
Rafael Mercado, Milwaukee Heroin Diaries, Milwaukee resident
Martine Tate, Milwaukee resident
Justin Bielinski, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Milwaukee resident
Mr. Mercado testified. The work plan looks great, and more accomplishments are along the way. There needs to be more leaders at the forefront and a cohesive effort from the State to address the epidemic. The community and various organizations are available to help on the ground. His organization is doing a "Make a Difference" march event next Saturday in the south side to gain attention and spark hope to the community. Some of his family members have overdosed or died from opioid use. Addicts are not criminals but are victims with a disease. Police data should be used to determine hot spots, and services or attention should be directed towards those hot spots. Attracting attention about the epidemic needs to be improved, such as going door to door.
Ms. Tate testified. Her daughter had died of an overdose. Not much has changed in a few years other than the increasingly number of people overdosing and dying. There has been more awareness. She is involved in running support groups. Early education programs in schools are important as a measure of early prevention. Harm reduction intervention is necessary as similarly done for other hazards. Methadone and naloxone treatment is necessary, and use of them should be destigmatized. Having syringe needle exchange programs is also important to reduce blood infections, HIV, or other diseases. The supply of narcan and training to use narcan needs to be increased everywhere and for everyone, especially for police officers.
Mr. Bielinski testified. There is potential with the County planning to sue pharmaceutical companies for unethical practices. Any monies gained should go back to treatment and prevention.
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| | 4. | | Adjournment.
Minutes note: Commissioner Baker said that public input is important to finalize final task force recommendations, the bulk of the work has been through work groups, policy advocacy is need from the state and federal levels, and the next community meeting is next Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 10 a.m. at Humboldt Park Pavilion.
Meeting adjourned at 10:48 p.m.
Chris Lee, Staff Assistant
Council Records Section
City Clerk's Office | | | |
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| | | | Materials related to the activities of the task force can be found within the following file: | | | |
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161554
| 0 | | Communication | Communication relating to the activities of the City-County Heroin, Opioid and Cocaine Task Force. | | | |
Action details
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