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.
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.
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 this section, please capture any recent findings, reports, or data on the topic. Please also highlight any gaps or existing disparities. Please include references and links to the information so that we may add a footnote for the reader to find further information. Do we have any available research about discriminatory practices? Is there information about the value of access to educational opportunities?
Impactful Federal, State, and Local Policies
Please list any federal, state, or local laws, policies, or regulations that support this topic or ones that could be a possible barrier. Are there laws or policies other states should know about and replicate for success?
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
Please link to any best practice models or case studies that highlight creative/innovative or successful efforts in support of this strategy. Is there a community that does a really good job in this area that other communities should replicate? Please write a brief description and provide a link.