Massachusetts health officials are encouraging the state to open controversial safe injection sites that would create state-sanctioned areas for people to use drugs.
The state's Department of Public Health released a new report on Wednesday, which noted fatal drug overdoses in 2022 reached an all-time high of 2,359 opioid-related deaths. The number marked a 3% increase compared to 2021. Officials say opening the sites would bring down the number of fatal drug overdoses in the state.
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The officials are now recommending the state open overdose prevention centers, which would allow people to use drugs under professional supervision.
"We know most overdose deaths occur in private and go unwitnessed," DPH Commissioner Dr. Robert Goldstein said in a statement. "Overdose prevention centers, therefore, can be lifelines, serving not only as places of intervention, but as places of empathy, understanding, and healing."
The centers would not be supplying illegal drugs, the memo noted, but it would have overdose reversal medication such as Naloxone on hand, along with sterile supplies and first aid equipment. The staff could also recommend rehab and other treatments to those struggling with drug addiction.
The idea of opening an overdose prevention center is controversial, but it already exists within the United States. New York has two sites in the state, and one is expected to open in Rhode Island next year. However, part of the reason the sites are controversial is because they are illegal under federal law.
The Democratic city of Philadelphia banned the creation of safe injection sites, in September, claiming there were better ways to respond to the opioid crisis.
"The way we do that is through long-term recovery," Councilman Jim Harrity said, according to CBS News Philadelphia. "Not giving them a space where they can continue to harm themselves."
Other states, including Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico, have considered opening the centers.
It is not clear whether Massachusetts lawmakers would approve the creation of such locations, and the idea of creating the sites is new in the state. But, if passed, legislation in both state chambers could protect providers from possible civil or criminal consequences for simply running or working at an overdose prevention center.
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"Without this language, individuals utilizing or participating in OPCs would be exposed to significant legal and professional licensure risk," according to the report.
A Massachusetts survey from October found that 70% of respondents said they support passing state legislation that would allow cities and towns to establish the centers. The survey was conducted by Beacon Research and interviewed 603 registered voters online.