Category: Worcester

Joff Smith, in his enthusiasm, awkwardly proposed a more aggressive plan than the City Manager’s, and after voting for Operation Yellow Box in general, voted against the City Manager’s particular implementation; that second vote was 10-1.

Click here to download mp3 of the Council’s discussion

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This morning, pro-Yellow Box organizers wrote in an e-mail:

Thank you so much for your support. The council clearly heard our voices and responded. Without the pressure of community supporters, it really could have gone either way tonight. Last week we only knew of six yes votes and four likely no votes. Tonight was an important step in making Worcester a safer city. Thank you for making it happen!

The T&G recap includes the typical belligerent comments from Internet readers.

Tonight the City Council will again have an opportunity to approve Operation Yellow Box, a limited needle-disposal plan. Now that syringes are available over-the-counter in Massachusetts, you’d think everybody would want there to be safe places for disposal of dirty needles.

City Manager O’Brien: “I am confident that Operation Yellow Box will lead to increased community protection, education, and awareness surrounding the safe disposal of needles and syringes.”

The people I know with a history of IV drug use are often irresponsible, and sometimes responsible. They also have friends and associates who don’t do drugs. I’d like there to be safe places to dispose of needles, whether by someone finding one on the street, a junkie on a good day, or someone visiting that drug user and finding needles lying around.

There are people I respect who oppose needle legalization and needle exchange, who think that “harm reduction” sends a bad message. But even they support needle disposal plans. This isn’t about reducing the harm that addicts cause themselves—it’s about reducing the harm that they cause everyone else.

For more info, read Lara Jirmanus’s op-ed, and the T&G’s related position.

I e-mailed the City Council about this issue, and Dennis Irish wrote back:

If allowed to vote, (4 councilors could hold it until the next meeting) I believe the votes are there to approve this tonight. If it’s held, I am prepared to vote for a special council meeting to get it done before year end.

As I understand it, opponents of Operation Yellow Box will use up their last “time out” tonight. Changes in next year’s Council may give opponents additional opportunities to delay or bury this plan. I hope that enough people e-mail their Councilors, and attend tonight’s meeting, to make all the Councilors feel comfortable voting for this plan, without the need for an extra meeting.