Rhode Island Legislators Pass Safe Injection Site Authorization Bill

Rhode Island could become the first state in the union to allow safe injection sites for illegal drugs under a law passed late last week. Under the law, the state would approve a two-year pilot program for the operation of “harm reduction centers” where overdose prevention and other drug intervention services would be available.

Safe injection sites provide a medically supervised place where people can inject illegal drugs, including heroin, without fear or arrest. The centers are staffed with staff trained to provide advice on safe injection practices, provide sterile supplies, and monitor for signs of overdose. The staff does not provide, handle, or inject drugs.

“The opioid epidemic has turned into a massive public health crisis with overdoses of prescription and non-prescription opioids killing record numbers,” said Rep. John Edwards of the Legislature. “Ham Reduction Centers not only significantly reduce the risk of overdose, they are also a gateway to the treatment and rehabilitation of people with an addictive disorder. These places will be under the supervision of trained medical staff who can instruct addicts in the treatment of addictions. It’s a way to fight this epidemic and save lives in the process. “

More than 100 safe injection sites have been set up in at least 10 countries around the world, including Canada. Proponents of the facilities say they reduce deaths from drug overdoses, reduce the transmission of HIV and other communicable pathogens, and offer services to end the cycle of addiction.

Safe injection: harm reduction instead of criminalization

Senator Josh Miller, chairman of the Rhode Island Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said it was time to take a new approach to drug policy.

“If we really want to contain the drug overdose epidemic, we must recognize drug addiction as a health problem, not just a crime,” Miller said. “Addicts need help and protection from the most dangerous addictions. Having a place where someone can save them from an overdose and where people offer them the resources they need for treatment is a much better alternative to people who die alone at home or in their car.

“Especially as the number of overdose deaths has increased during the pandemic and fentanyl-containing drugs continue to pose a deadly threat to ignorant users, a program like this could prevent unnecessary death and change lives,” he added.

Efforts to create safe injection sites in several cities across the United States have so far been foiled by opponents who believe they are promoting drug use and exacerbating crime. An attempt by the nonprofit Safehouse to bring a safe injection site to Philadelphia was blocked by a federal appeals court in January.

“Safehouse tries admirably to save lives,” says the majority decision in the case. “And many Americans think federal drug laws should move away from law enforcement towards harm reduction. But courts are not arbitrators of politics. We have to apply the laws as they were written. “

Miller noted that many of the same objections were raised with the introduction of safe injection sites in Canada, but fears have not materialized.

“It’s been shown to actually decrease crime rather than increase crime,” Miller said. “It has been shown that there are no fatalities in any of these facilities. They have proven to be good community partners. “

With the bill passed by the state legislature, it now comes to the desk of Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee. A governor’s spokesman has told local media that McKee will review the measure when it reaches his desk but declined to say whether he intends to sign the bill.

Post a comment:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *