INSANITY –

May 4, 2023 – A nonprofit group called Safehouse has been negotiating with the U.S. Justice Department, hoping to open supervised injection clinics in Philadelphia.

If this measure is approved and signed into law by Pennsylvania’s Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro — who has signaled disapproval of supervised drug use sites — it could permanently derail that effort. “It’s disappointing that this effort [by the state Senate] was taken,” said Ronda Goldfein, who sits on the Safehouse board of directors.

Decades of research contradict the claim that supervised drug use sites foster addiction. Data shows they can be effective “harm reduction” strategy, helping people survive overdoses.

“The evidence is clear,” Goldfein said. “We’re in an overdose crisis. The safe way to proceed is really look at all the options and not rule things because it doesn’t seem right.”

Click@NPR