To the Editor:
The War on Drugs has ultimately been a failure that has created a harmful stigma with particular repercussions toward black and brown communities. From its beginning in 2013, the opioid epidemic has further unraveled families across generations as well as socioeconomic status. According to data from Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Suffolk County has seen a 45 percent increase in opioid-related deaths between 2015 and 2020, with a 32 percent increase between 2019 and 2020. Similarly, the city of Boston has seen a 58 percent increase of opioid-related deaths during the same time period, with a 42 percent increase between 2019 and 2020.
While there is no easy solution to be found, we must do what we can to both combat the stigma of addiction and save lives.
Safe consumption sites (SCS) are legally sanctioned harm-reduction facilities where intravenous drug users can safely inject pre-obtained drugs under medical supervision. They provide on-site emergency response to overdoses, injection-related first aid, access to counseling, medical and behavioral health services, as well as substance use treatment, and disposal of needles.
An Act Relative to Preventing Overdose Deaths & Increasing Access to Treatment (S.1272/H. 2088) would create a 10-year pilot program of two or more SCS across the state in which DPH would create operational regulations, and establish a process to apply for licensure. Furthermore, local boards of health must approve each site, which will decriminalize the use of drugs within. Finally, DPH would have to submit a report to the Legislature on the progress of the sites 18 months after the program is implemented, and annually. Over 100 SCS around the world have been opened with zero overdose deaths at these facilities.
Please contact your state senator and state representative in support of this important legislation. Safe places to access emergency care are much better than back alleys, playgrounds, or street corners. We can save lives and protect our children.
Matthew J Shochat
Dorchester
