One step beyond needle exchange: Injection facilities for addicts

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Saint Kurt
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One step beyond needle exchange: Injection facilities for addicts

Post by Saint Kurt »

I read this today:

San Francisco Considers Injetion Rooms

The article does a good job of discussing the pros and cons of such a facility and is neither in favor of, or against.

Personally, I wonder if it won't do more harm than good. Needle exchanges are one thing - they promote hygiene, reduce disease, and reduce litter, and the addicts get needles to use that are clean and sharp. Other than the possiblilty that it might "encourage drug use", it is a win-win to me.

On the other hand, I don't know if I like the idea of the state assisting heroin addicts in proper injection technique. I understand that the idea is to provide a safe place for addicts that will lessen things like muggings and overdose, but I think this is not the right way to do it. Shouldn't the "safe place" we (as taxpayers) provide for drug addicts be a detox center or an NA meeting?

What do you think?
-e
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