The opening of “safe injection sites” in Massachusetts could happen in the near future, providing a place for people to take illegal drugs, experts testified yesterday.
In a panel called “America is Watching” hosted by William James College in Newton, community leaders, politicians and substance abuse experts joined at Back Bay Events Center to tackle the opioid crisis in New England.
Dr. Dennis Dimitri, chairman of the Massachusetts Medical Society, said his organization will endorse the opening of “safe injection sites.”
“We don’t want anyone using illicit drugs, but while they’re going to do it anyway, let’s reduce the risk and get them into treatment,” Dimitri said. He added that opening the sites — which are medically supervised injection centers that provide clean needles — will decrease the incidence of overdoses, public nuisance and crime.
Dimitri said the Massachusetts Medical Society will consider the possibility of having “safe injection sites” in Massachusetts by piloting a program that will study the risks and benefits.
The centers, also called “drug consumption rooms” or “overdose prevention sites,” are already legal in other countries, including Spain, Canada and Australia. Arlington police Chief Frederick Ryan said he often helps to place people in treatment as the responsibility frequently falls on police.
Ryan said he supports the idea of injection sites. “People who are using in unsafe, unsterile, unsupervised environments are immune from prosecution. Why wouldn’t we consider giving immunity to prosecution in a safe, sterile, supervised environment?” he added.
He also supports a 72-hour hold as a treatment method, but only as a last resort. The hold would require someone who has overdosed to stay in emergency care for three days without a court order while they begin involuntary substance abuse treatment.
Dr. David Herzog, who organized the third annual conference, said the purpose of the panels was to unite public officials and doctors to help create solutions to combat the opioid crisis. He said that “safe injection sites” could start to pop up within the next couple of years.
However, he pointed to issues with legality and politics as Gov. Charlie Baker has historically been a tough sell on the idea. In July, the state Senate passed a version of its bill to combat opioid addiction, but nixed a provision about injection sites, replacing it with a study commission.