USA. Joint Statement of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Denver Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration regarding the City and County of Denver’s Proposal to Create Supervised Locations to Inject Heroin and Other Illegal Drugs
USA. Joint Statement of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Denver Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration regarding the City and County of Denver’s Proposal to Create Supervised Locations to Inject Heroin and Other Illegal Drugs
DENVER -- The Denver City Council recently passed an ordinance that proposes establishing supervised use sites, where drug users would be allowed to lawfully inject heroin and other illegal drugs in a facility operated by a governmental organization or a nonprofit. This proposal still has a number of steps to go before it becomes a reality. In the meantime, there are a few things Coloradans should know.
Foremost, the operation of such sites is illegal under federal law. 21 U.S.C. Sec. 856 prohibits the maintaining of any premises for the purpose of using any controlled substance. Potential penalties include forfeiture of the property, criminal fines, civil monetary penalties up to $250,000, and imprisonment up to 20 years in jail for anyone that knowingly opens, leases, rents, maintains, or anyone that manages or controls and knowingly and intentionally makes available such premises for use (whether compensated or otherwise). Other federal laws likely apply as well. (Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Colorado, 04.12.2018)