Proposed New Ordinance Will Ban Distribution of All Drug Paraphernalia from Santa Monica's Public Spaces

SM Coalition

Passed-out drug addict with one of the free needles beside him in Palisades Park, about 10 yards away from a nanny and a child too young to know not to touch

August 21, 2024 - Santa Monica City Councilmember Oscar de la Torre intends to sponsor legislation that will close a loophole in a May ordinance that defunded third-party contractors like the Venice Family Clinic if they distributed needles and drug paraphernalia in the city's public parks. The original language of the ordinance that was passed 6-1 was changed to include only needle distribution and removed reference to "other drug paraphernalia." Accordingly, VFC began distributing glass pipes instead of needles.

The used pipes have since been found discarded in the public parks where distribution takes place.

The revised ordinance will read:

"Eliminate the distribution by the County or any County-affiliated, non County-affiliated, third party, and/or independent private entity, of all drug paraphernalia and equipment, including but not limited to any and all drugs, opioids, needles, syringes, glass pipes, straws, rolling paper, miniature spoons, etc., in our parks, other City-owned spaces and anywhere closer than 1,000 feet away from any school, other educational facility, church, senior center or senior living facility, YMCA/YWCA, or Boys and Girls Clubs. The only exception would be Narcan, which can help revive someone who is unresponsive. The terms of this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage."

The Santa Monica Coalition, an organization of business owners and residents committed to public safety, is largely behind the effort to remove distribution of drug paraphernalia in the parks. John Alle, co-founder of SM Coalition discovered the program by accident in 2022. He says the proposed ordinance closing all loopholes will be a "litmus test" for council candidates running on the November ballot.

Alyssa Erdley

Three sitting Santa Monica City Council members at a rally in April asking for the removal of the needle program in public parks: Oscar de la Torre, Phil Brock, and Lana Negrete

Alle says his group does not oppose harm reduction in theory; they simply don't believe the activity belongs in parks used by the public and especially by vulnerable residents like seniors and children. He points out that the People Concern and Samoshel currently offer similar medical services in Downtown Santa Monica at 503 Olympic Blvd, and share other building facilities in Santa Monica with both the Venice Family Clinic and Clare Matrix non-profit agencies, where the Harm Reduction program could be moved immediately. Venice Family Clinic also owns a large underutilized 2-floor building facility in Santa Monica at 2509 Pico.