The bill would have covered major cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles.
QUICK FACTS:
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed a Democrat-authored bill that would have stamped state government approval on drug use under supervision in some cities.
- The bill would have allowed for recreational drug users to have a safer method of use in major cities like Oakland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
- The governor said that he supported “cutting edge harm reduction” but that he was concerned that the bill would have “unintended consequences,” according to his veto letter.
NEWSOM’S COMMENTS IN PART:
- “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 thoughtful operational and sustainability plans,” Newsom said in his veto letter.
- “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,” the California governor went on.
- The governor did concede on some fronts saying, “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 demon trade how these programs will be run safely and effectively.”
BACKGROUND:
- Newsom’s move comes the day before California became the first state in the union to cover health care costs for illegal aliens of all ages.
- California was previously the first state to cover health care costs for illegal immigrants under the age of 25, which they have done since 2019.
