Alderwoman Zamarripa says, after reviewing the proposed plan to open an outpatient opioid treatment center that she does not believe the location is suited for this business.
By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
April 30, 2021
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa from the 8th Aldermanic District sent out an advisory letter from her office to local residents in the area confirming that she is opposed to a new outpatient opioid treatment center opening at the 800 block S. Layton Blvd (strip mall). Ald. Zamarripa says, she met with the applicants and hearing from many of the neighbors over the last month, which she believes that the location is not suited for the Community Medical Services to open in that location.
Zamarripa also says that she has sent a letter of opposition concerning the outpatient opioid treatment center project to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA).
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, the 12th District Milwaukee County Supervisor and State Assembly Representative from the 8th District who would like to see an outpatient opioid treatment center in the Southside says, "There is a huge need for places that service the opioid epidemic that is killing many of our neighbors and loved ones. We need locations that the people who are most impacted have access too instead of having to drive outside of their communities and risk being racially profiled. Many people might not have the ability to have reliable transportation and need access locally."
"Treatment centers are needed in the city. Addicts having to travel outside of their community to get treatment adds to their anxiety and stress. Shame, Ald. Zamarripa plays into unfounded fears and uninformed stereotypes, unjustly denying city residents from treatment clinics in their own community is wrong," according to Robert Miranda, a local prominent Milwaukee activist.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office (MCMEO) recently released that there were 74 probable OD's (drug overdose deaths) so far in 2021, compared to 511 OD's in 2020 and 418 OD's in 2019.
Also in 2017, there were 101 fentanyl-related deaths reported compared to 96 in 2016, according to the MCMEO.
The MCMEO also reported in 2020 that 58 percent of the 435 confirmed victims were white, while 28 percent of the victims were Black, and 9.4 percent were Hispanic.
Which, a total of 65 Southside residents from the 53215 (35 victims) and 53204 (30 victims) ZIP code areas in Zamarripa's Aldermanic District died from drug overdoses in 2020.
Ironically, Zamarripa in her advisory letter didn't provide an alternative location for the outpatient opioid treatment center in her district indicating she currently opposes one in the 8th Aldermanic District.
BOZA will have a public meeting concerning the opioid treatment center for people to attend on May 6, 2021 at 4:30p.m. at Milwaukee City Hall, 200 E. Wells Street, 3rd floor, room 301-B and there will also be a virtual transmission as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment