Harm Reduction Through Safe Injection Sites and Safe Inhalation Sites

Safe Injection Sites are a harm reduction model of care for opiate dependent people who use IV needles. There are over 120 of these sites worldwide, but none in the US. San Francisco has plans to open two facilities by this July, 2018. The sites are controversial but have proven to be effective in decreasing drug use, reduce the spread of disease, and decreases syringes on the street. They reduce overdose deaths and link people to resources such as housing, medical care and employment. Canada will open a Safe Inhalation Site to include the inhalation of meth or crack cocaine under supervision. Listen in to this opiate recovery support group as they discuss this topic.

Discussion Guide:

How many Safe Injection Sites would you estimate there are worldwide? Why do you think they are controversial?

If you used IV needles in your active addiction and there was a Supervised Injection Site near you, would you utilize it?

Are you aware of Supervised Inhalation Sites? How are they different from Supervised Injection Sites?

Supplemental Reading:

Victoria Kim, San Francisco Set to Open Nation's First Supervised Injection Sites This Summer, http://www.thefix.com/san-francisco-set-open-nations-first-supervised-injection-sites-summer

Troy Farah, First Supervised Inhalation Site Opens in North America, http://www.thefix.com/first-supervised-inhalation-site-opens-north-america