Pubdate: Mon, 09 May 2016
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2016 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1
Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: William Buehlman

SAFE INJECTIONS

Regarding "Safe injection center or harm reduction folly" (April 8), 
once again Debra J. Saunders gets it wrong. There's overwhelming 
evidence demonstrating that safe injection facilities are an 
effective intervention proven to reduce harm to both the drug user 
and the community. We need safe injection facilities, and San 
Francisco should be the first. We need a common sense, public health 
solution to the legitimate health and safety concerns that arise from 
people injecting in non-sterile, public places (syringe litter, 
overdose, disease transmission, etc.).

There are dozens of sound scientific studies, published in 
peer-reviewed medical journals showing that safe injection sites 
enhance public safety, reduce disease transmission, and significantly 
promote admission to detoxification and substance abuse treatment.

Providing a safe, clean space for injection drug users to administer 
their substance and dispose of their paraphernalia, we can reduce 
overdose deaths, soft tissue infections and the associated 
high-dollar emergency room visits. It's an opportunity for 
intervention, education and referrals to services. It's time to take 
a truly progressive approach that is compassionate, safe and exhibits 
fiscal common sense. San Francisco needs to take the lead with smart 
public health policy based on empirical evidence, not fear based rhetoric.

William Buehlman, San Francisco
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom