USA. Special Response: Over 100 Researchers and Practitioners Respond to Rod Rosenstein on Safe Injection Sites
USA. Special Response: Over 100 Researchers and Practitioners Respond to Rod Rosenstein on Safe Injection Sites
In response to the current opioid crisis a number of cities in the United States are considering establishing safe injection sites for users of heroin and other illegal drugs. This is not a new idea. Cities in Canada and Europe currently have them, including a successful program in Vancouver. Safe injection sites provide a place for people to inject illicit drugs under medical supervision. In addition to a clean and warm space, they typically offer sterile injecting equipment and basic healthcare. Many also provide referrals to treatment, housing and other services. Critically, all safe injection sites include trained staff to respond to overdose, leading many experts to refer to them as “overdose prevention sites,” to better reflect this core aim. (Alcohol and Drugs History Society, USA, 20.09.2018)