|
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 />
|