Expand Number of Safe Injection Sites
Introductory Paragraph
In the United States there is still much debate on the use of safe injection sites and whether states and the federal government should allow these sites to exist. A safe injection site is specific locations where people can safely inject an illicit drug under a medical professional's supervision. Everyday there are more than 100 people who overdose. The hope of these sites is to provide a safe and clean environment to decrease the number of overdoses. These sites can also help to stop the spread of life-threatening infections, such as HIV or Hepatitis C. The use of these sites is relatively new to the United States however they have been in use in Europe, Australia, and Canada for decades.[1]
Key Information
A key part for communities to be able to expand safe injection sites in the United States is to continue to remove the stigma of addiction. Many individuals still believe that those with substance abuse disorders can just stop. We do not expect people with autoimmune disorders or other diseases to stop or figure it out on their own and we should provide the same care and understanding to those with substance abuse disorders. Educating individuals on substance abuse disorders and how this disease can affect people is an important part of being able to get more legislation to open sites nationwide.[2]
Why These Sites are Important
Safe injection sites are important not only because they can lower the rate of overdoses in a community by having trained individuals at the site to assist and monitor those with substance abuse disorder while they inject. Safe injection sites also provide clean needles and other supplies to reduce risks. These sites are also important because they can provide a safe and sterile environment for substance abuse users to learn about proper injection and hygienic methods, which may lower infections that can easily be transmitted among those with this disorder. These sites can also be the first place that someone with substance abuse disorder may decide that they want help and having individuals working at these sites who are trained in knowing the resources available can help a person get the help they need. More Than Just a Place to Inject Safe injection sites can be more than just a place for individuals to inject illicit drugs safely. These sites can provide classes, resources, therapy options, and programs. Some of the classes offered can simply be on proper hygiene use to proper product preparation. Having these classes and programs available can also help to reduce overdose and the spread of infectious diseases among those that are using. Other resources that these sites can provide are therapy options and resources on where to go to help get control of the disorder.
Ways to Get Involved
Individuals who want to get involved and have a say on these programs can:
- Contact their local, state and federal legislature
- Watch for and vote on legislation that will allow or not allow these sites to operate
- Educate individuals on substance abuse disorder to remove stigmas
- Once sites are opened, individuals can help to support the site and get word out that these programs are available in the community
Relevant Research
In January of 2022 a study done in the United States with an unauthorized Safe consumption site was published that showed that Safe injection/ consumption sites reduced the likelihood of overdosing. [3]
Impactful Federal, State, and Local Policies
Federal
In January of 2021 the Third circuit appellate court in the United States Department of Justice ruled that safe injection sites were illegal under federal law. This overturned a decision by the district court on the matter.[4] However, in February of 2022 the Department of Justice released a statement stating that they are evaluating such facilities. [5]
State
In November of 2021 New York began operating two safe injection sites in Manhattan. New York currently has a proposal for the Safer Consumption Services Act. If this act passed into law it would allow New York to open more sites statewide. [6]
SAFE Solutions is an ever-growing platform. We will continue to regularly monitor and make updates accordingly. Please check back soon.
Available Tools and Resources
Oftentimes, there are already great resources in the field that have been developed, but they are not housed in a single place. Please use this section to share information about those resources and drive the reader to that resource. It may be a worksheet, toolkit, fact sheet, framework/model, infographic, new technology, etc. I suggest no more than 5 really good links and a corresponding description for the reader. We also can use this section to highlight some of the great resources and programs at SAFE Project.
Promising Practices
A longitudinal study done in France on the practice of community-based safe injection sites had promising results. This study focused on providing education on safely injecting and safe hygiene practices at the sites. Using proper methods can help to reduce the risk of overdose and the risk of spreading infectious diseases.[7]
Sources
- ↑ https://nursing.usc.edu/blog/supervised-injection-sites/
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/30/nyregion/supervised-injection-sites-nyc.html
- ↑ https://link-springer-com.lib-e2.lib.ttu.edu/article/10.1007/s11606-021-07312-4
- ↑ https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/federal-development-safe-injection-sites-leaves-massachusetts-advocates-optimistic/YFZWESC22JDRRHWBYPWX7U6HKA/
- ↑ https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/appellate-court-agrees-government-supervised-injection-sites-are-illegal-under-federal-law
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/30/nyregion/supervised-injection-sites-nyc.html
- ↑ https://www-sciencedirect-com.lib-e2.lib.ttu.edu/science/article/pii/S0376871618305003