Emily is an amazing nurse who works in an Intensive Care Unit. She weighs in Safe Injection Facilities and the dangers that she perceives associated with bringing such places to the United States.
This is the second part to a two part episode. On the last episode Rory Fleming was interviewed on his stance and the politics associated with breaking ground legally to provide addicts a place to inject drugs under medical supervision.
Supervised consumption services (SCS)/Safe Injection Facilities/Safe Injection Sites(SIFs)/Overdose Prevention Centers/Drug Consumption Rooms are provided in legally sanctioned facilities that allow people to consume pre-obtained drugs under the supervision of trained staff and are designed to reduce the health and public order issues often associated with public drug consumption.
Quick Facts:
- No SCS currently exist in the United States due to a host of legal and ideological barriers. SCS arguably violate various state and federal drug laws, including laws that make it illegal to use, open, or maintain property where any controlled substance is consumed.
- There are approximately 120 SCS currently operating in twelve countries around the world (Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Switzerland) – but none in the U.S.
- Facility staff members do not directly assist in consumption or handle any drugs brought in by clients, but are present to provide sterile injection supplies, answer questions on safe injection practices, administer first aid if needed, and monitor for overdose. SCS staff also offer general medical advice and referrals to drug treatment, medical treatment, and other social support programs.