Will they take the risk?

This New York Times published an opinion piece about safe injecting facilities, promoting the use of these sites in the United States. Although we’re majorly behind on this issue, at least it’s being addressed. A little… According to the editorial board at the New York Times, some states have approved and are on track to opening facilities that will aid people in using drugs like heroin, so that they’re injecting in safer and cleaner environments. Other states are looking into this method but don’t have the support of the community. This method will decrease the spread of HIV because a vast amount of users share needles. It will also improve quality of life in certain areas, decrease the amount of people being incarcerated every year, and prevent overdose. So far the sites that have already opened have been successful in decreasing the amount of overdose. I do think this idea could potentially cause trouble, but the direction we’re headed in isn’t any less troublesome. My concerns would mostly be safety. Will the nurses have security in the event of someone breaking in? How will they know they are administering the correct amount? These are only small problems, most likely prevented by hiring security and a little bit of science. But besides my concerns, I agree with this article in that doing something about this issue is key in promoting change. Arresting drug users normally leads to more drug use and that’s the cycle that started this in the first place. This seems a little extreme and most citizens think this is the opposite of what our government is striving to accomplish, but at this rate something different and actually effective has to be done.