‘Come and arrest me’ : Former Pennsylvania Governor defies Justice Department on safe injection site
“It’s easy to say, ‘It’s the law, I’m sorry, guys, I can’t do it. It’s the law. I’m sworn to uphold the law,” he says. “Look, the history of this country is about change brought about by people having the courage to say, ‘This law makes no sense.’ “
Rendell says his brazen position takes him back in time to the early 1990s when he was mayor and welcomed Philadelphia’s first needle exchange during the AIDS crisis. Back then, state officials said they would shut it down because it violated drug paraphernalia laws, yet Rendell promised to be the first arrested. A crackdown never materialized. And health officials estimate the move helped drive down new HIV cases in the city more than 95 percent since 1992 … At the facility, participants will receive a physical and mental health assessment before entering a room in which they can use the illegal drugs under the watch of medical professionals. They will be provided with fentanyl test strips — so they can see the makeup of their drugs — and clean equipment. After they use, they will be directed to another room where they can talk to staff members about social services, including housing needs and referrals to primary care, according to the group’s internal documents.
Original Article (NPR):
‘Come and arrest me’ : Former Pennsylvania Governor defies Justice Department on safe injection site
Artwork Fair Use: Donnovan JPM
