What is a Supervised Injection Site? 

Supervised injection sites are facilities where people can inject illicit drugs under the supervision of a medically trained staff. These facilities are intended to help reduce the risk of death and disease among people who inject drugs. The stated purpose of Supervised injection sites is to provide avenues for drug users to seek treatment for their addiction, along with other social services. Supporters of supervised injection sites say that they allow drug users to use their drugs in the facility without fear of arrest, providing them with a safe space to inject drugs in an environment that makes them feel more comfortable.

However, law enforcement in other parts of the world that have safe injection sites know that it actually is a magnet for crime. These officers also say that it is enabling the user to use drugs and does not help them get off of drugs. In fact, a recent study about how safe these injection sites are was retracted. 

What is the Supreme Court’s Decision on Safe Injection Sites?

The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from Safehouse to open the nation’s first “safe” injection site in Philadelphia. The case is heading back to federal District Court.

Safehouse argues that federal law is not intended to ban sites where people can use illegal drugs under medical supervision.

The idea of establishing such sites is controversial. Advocates claim they save lives and lead addicted people to treatment. Opponents say if you don’t keep track of addicted people who use such sites but die elsewhere how can you tell? And if you don’t track addicted people who obtain treatment and stop using drugs, how do you know?

Read Philadelphia Inquirer story here.