For my third week, I mainly focused on imputing data for the councilor's upcoming budget hearings. As the week progressed, I found out more about how Boston Public Schools staff operate and how salary is distributed.
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On Thursday, the city held its first Needle Take Back Day. The lack of proper disposal sites for needles is a serious issue in Boston. People are throwing out their needles in their trash- which is an issue not only sanitary wise, but also for the workers who come to pick up the trash, because the needle is exposed to them. The reasons this is an issue go on. In Boston, there are not many safe sites to properly dispose of these needles.
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Since Annissa is a Councilor- At- Large for public health and safety, her office is advocating for more safe needle disposal sites.
On Needle Take Back Day, I volunteered at The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. I sat at an information table and spoke to people as they came through the lobby to help raise awareness for the issue regarding lack of needle disposal sites. In East Boston, there are no proper disposal sites for needles. I was very grateful to have volunteered because it was a perspective shift; so many people get the short hand of the stick when it comes to lack of good health policies, and it awakened me to realizing this issue needs to be solved. I also volunteered with a representative of another organization, Cole, and throughout the hours I was there for, I was delighted to get to know about his work and why he was there that day. Overall, the week ended with some reflection: Are our public health policies keeping our residents safe? Where are the morals in these policies? How do we destigmatize proper needle disposal?