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REGULAR MEETING August 14, 2017 <br /> Councilmember Dr. David Varner, Chair of the Health and Public Safety Committee, reported <br /> that they accepted Substitute Bill No. 46-17 for consideration and gave a favorable <br /> recommendation, and that there is a second substitute that must be acted upon. <br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to accept the second version of Substitute Bill No. <br /> 46-17. Councilmember Dr. David Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of <br /> eight(8) ayes. <br /> Councilmember Karen White, 1912 Malvern Way, South Bend, IN, as well as Councilmember <br /> Tim Scott, 711 Forest Avenue, South Bend, IN, served as the presenters of this bill. <br /> Councilmember White stated, Councilmembers Scott and myself are happy to bring before the <br /> Council the second substitute bill that deals with synthetic drugs. We'd like to say that on <br /> January 15th, 2017, a number of City employees and others witnessed the impact of synthetic <br /> drugs on three (3) young men, at that time. It was the Chief of Police who actually met with the <br /> South Bend Democratic Coalition, and they will be part of the presentation, as well, to really <br /> bring to attention the impact of this very serious public safety issue within our community. From <br /> there, a number of community organizations and social service agencies really came together to <br /> talk about how we, as a City, can respond to this particular issue within our City. <br /> Councilmember White listed as vital to the construction of this proposal: Police Chief Scott <br /> Ruszkowski, Kim Green-Reeves of Beacon Health System, and Robert Smith. Likewise, there <br /> was a press conference that was held during the month of February that began to pull together, <br /> not only community leaders, but others to come together collectively and address this issue. This <br /> shows that when individuals do come together and we have a common purpose, we can bring <br /> about some change to really begin to address this issue. Likewise, from the Mayor's Office, we <br /> have Shay Davis, Cherri Peate, and our own City Clerk, Kareemah Fowler, who has been with us <br /> every step of the way. <br /> Councilmember Tim Scott stated that synthetic drugs are devastating to the South Bend <br /> community. Councilmember Scott stated, We've seen people from elementary school age all the <br /> way up to seventy-eight (78) year-olds being affected by this and being in the emergency room. <br /> He thanked Council Attorney Bob Palmer, City Attorney Aladean DeRose, and Police Chief <br /> Scott Ruszkowski for their contribution to the language of the bill, stating that it was difficult to <br /> construct. Councilmember Scott explained that it was difficult because the bill had to combat the <br /> makers of these drugs who try to take advantage of legal loopholes by changing the makeup of <br /> the marijuana lookalike. He explained that this bill is adding to the Disorderly House ordinance, <br /> which covers individuals selling synthetics as well as businesses. On top of being a criminal <br /> issue, it is a civic issue with fines ranging from$250 to $2,500. Councilmember Scott stated, <br /> What I'd really like to see is the $2,500 that we have in there. That's the most the City can <br /> impose, according to State law. I hope that's sending a message to the commercial entities that <br /> are out there that are going to try to promote and sell this. <br /> Scott Ruszkowski, Chief of the South Bend Police Department, 701 West Sample Street, South <br /> Bend, IN, stated that education and awareness are what the Police Department must be <br /> broadcasting on this issue. Chief Ruszkowski also emphasized voluntary compliance, stating that <br /> the majority of sellers use "munchie marts" as storefronts. Chief Ruszkowski stated that there is <br /> a civil penalty in place to punish a synthetic drug sellers without immediately putting them <br /> through a court process, but that should they continue after being fined,they would then deal <br /> with the criminal justice system. He urged the Council to pass the bill because it would help the <br /> men and women in the Police and Fire Departments who deal with victims of these synthetic <br /> drugs daily. <br /> Kimberly Green-Reeves, Beacon Health System, 50555 Galaxy Drive, Granger, IN, stated, We <br /> have what is called a"Community Health Needs Assessment"that we conduct every three (3) <br /> years. The community members fill this out, we have secondary data that we attribute to the <br /> overall priority areas; and then, also, key informants—so those that work closely with <br /> community members in various capacities. Citing Beacon Health System records of first <br /> diagnoses made at the Memorial Hospital Emergency Room, Ms. Green-Reeves stated there had <br /> been nine-hundred and eighty-one (981) visits to the ER in 2016: out of that number, three- <br /> hundred and ninety-eight(398) were identified as "abuse;"twenty-eight (28) were identified as <br /> "dependents;"many were"unspecified;" five-hundred and thirty-eight(538) were male, while <br /> 5 <br />