EL DORADO COUNTY BOARD CHAIR RESPONDS TO STATE LAWSUIT
Published on March 21, 2024
Contact: Carla B. Hass
Phone: 530-621-4609
The following statement is attributable to El Dorado County Board of Supervisors chair, Wendy Thomas, regarding a lawsuit filed by the California Department of Public Health to override the County's ordinance banning syringe exchange programs:
"The health and safety of El Dorado County residents is the sacred duty of the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and our law enforcement partners, and I am disgusted and appalled that the State of California intends to use its bully pulpit to override our local control and authority to enact an ordinance which protects children and adults in our communities.
"In a state teeming with homelessness, crime, drug addiction, and overdose deaths, how dare they sue us in defense of 'public health'? The first principle of medicine is "Do No Harm", and we have local data that proves that a syringe exchange program has indeed caused much harm in El Dorado County. We will protect our community and I will always support measures which prioritize and safeguard the wellbeing of the citizens of El Dorado County.
"I also will be working with my colleagues at our next Board meeting on El Dorado County's response to this abhorrent lawsuit."
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