The Justice Department Is Taking Its Hardest Line Yet To Stop Heroin Injection Sites
The Justice Department has sued to stop the country’s first heroin injection site from opening in Philadelphia, saying the facility is prohibited by federal law, despite cries from public health advocates that the project will prevent overdose deaths and limit HIV infections.
The Justice Department is asking a federal judge to rule that Safehouse — which would allow users in Philadelphia to inject drugs under the watch of medical professionals who can reverse overdoses and provide clean needles — violates the Controlled Substance Act … Ronda Goldfein, vice president of the Safehouse board and head of the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania writes, “Our position is that this is permissible under federal law,” she said, noting that lawyers will soon file a response in court. “It is realistic to think this is where we would be.” Safehouse, which has the tacit support of city officials and local prosecutors, says on its website that the facility wouldn’t violate the CSA, because it does not exist for the purpose of consuming drugs — a condition spelled out in the law. Rather, Safehouse contends, “The purpose of a supervised consumption room is to save lives.”
Original Article (Buzzfeed News):
The Justice Department Is Taking Its Hardest Line Yet To Stop Heroin Injection Sites
Artwork Fair Use: Robert Swinney
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