Washington
CNN
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San Francisco is in the process of allowing local nonprofits to open so-called supervised injection sites in the city, though local Democratic leaders say it will limit overdoses for drug users. , has been opposed by state leaders. .
Also known as an overdose prevention site, this area allows users to remove previously acquired drugs such as heroin and fentanyl under the supervision of staff trained to respond in the event of an overdose or other medical emergency. You can bring drugs. They also provide counseling and referrals to other social and health services.Opponents, however, argue that such sites Promoting and normalizing drug use and attract crime.
The bill, which was introduced on Tuesday, has the backing of the Democratic Mayor of London Breed and would allow the city to issue permits for an “overdose prevention program”, following an effort underway in Sacramento at the time of the existing 2020. abolish the annual regulations.
However, the legislative bill died in commission That summer — the site remained illegal at the state and federal level and therefore ineligible for public funding — so the San Francisco Board of Supervisors recommended that a local nonprofit operate the site with private funding. Decide whether to move forward on its own by allowing it “before federal and state legal issues are resolved.”
“Overdose prevention sites can be part of a comprehensive strategy that can save lives and address outdoor drug use in our communities,” said Breed. Said in a statement last week. “Fentanyl is challenging us like never before.In addition to opening these sites, we are working with law enforcement to shut down outdoor drug markets and provide these resources to our neighborhoods. We need to make it feel like an improvement.”
The city’s bill is now before the Commission, prior to a full vote by the 11-member Oversight Board. If approved, the mayor’s office believes the nonprofit can move to the open site immediately.
Breed spokesman Jeff Cretan told CNN that the city has not received a formal site proposal so far, but has had ongoing conversations with several groups interested in opening. Said there was
Last year, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would create supervised injection sites in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oakland.
“While these sites can help improve the safety and health of our urban areas, they can defeat this purpose if done without strong planning,” Newsom said. ” he said. letter of veto At the time. “These unintended consequences in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland cannot be taken lightly. Exacerbating the problem of drug consumption in these areas is not a risk we can take.”
Newsom’s office declined to comment to CNN on the pending ordinance in San Francisco, including whether the state would prevent potential sites from opening in the city.
Crete, however, has expressed confidence that if Sacramento is carried out, it will not interfere with the city’s plans.
“While there may be questions about how these sites can operate, I believe there is strong support in the state to find innovative solutions to prevent overdoses. If bodies are set up, these sites will show the results we’ve seen elsewhere and people will be assured that this public health solution will continue to move forward,” Cretan said. .
From 2020 to 2022, San Francisco recorded at least 1,985 overdose deaths. According to city data.
A New York City nonprofit will use private funding to open a supervised injection site in late 2021, similar to the model being considered in San Francisco. 603 overdose reversed In the first year, according to the Drug Policy Alliance, a nonprofit that champions such sites.
Philadelphia tried to open such a site, but the non-profit organization that tried to open the site involved in an ongoing legal battle The federal government dates back to the Trump administration. CNN reached out to the Biden administration regarding his current position on the site.
