Should cities open drug “safe havens” where people who are addicted to illegal drugs can use them under the supervision of medical professionals?
In 2018, officials in the U.S. city of Philadelphia city proposed opening a “safe haven” in an effort to combat the city's heroin epidemic. In 2016 64,070 people died in the U.S. from drug overdoses - a 21% increase from 2015. 3/4 of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. are caused by the opioid class of drugs which includes prescription painkillers, heroin and fentanyl. To combat the epidemic cities including Vancouver, BC and Sydney, AUS opened safe havens where addicts can inject drugs under the supervision of medical professionals. The safe havens reduce the overdose death…
Read moreYes, as long as the drugs being taken are medically prescribed drugs with the intention of helping people safely withdraw. For example, buprenorphine is used for opioid addictions.
@9J2PTNS3mos3MO
No, they should be opened in empty rural areas so all the addicts can go there and leave the rest of us alone
@9HQJ9TS3mos3MO
Yes but only in rural, empty areas so the people who are addicted to illegal drugs move there and leave the rest of us alone.
@9HK6M364mos4MO
I dont think the government should have them but if they do, they should be in the middle of nowhere so the druggies can go there and not cause any issues for the rest of us.
@9HJY34R4mos4MO
In places away from children and vulnerable communities. These havens must also have treatment available for the addicts
@9HJXLNQ4mos4MO
In two minds - "this would encourage drug use and lower funding for rehabilitation centers" is a true statement, but there are people who are already addicted where having access to a supervised environment can be beneficial, but at the same time encourage further drug use.
@92JXPNZ2yrs2Y
Depends what drug it is
@92HRRYL2yrs2Y
Yes. But provide help to break the addiction.
@92GLF7F2yrs2Y
We don’t need drug users in our country. They can fend for themselves
@92FVLJJ2yrs2Y
Yes, however people should be required to do community service and have Centrelink entitlements reduced.
@92FVGX72yrs2Y
Yes, but only with the goal to rehabilitate and become free of the addiction
@92FJLQK2yrs2Y
No, these people need to committed to rehabilitation centres.
@92DM7N82yrs2Y
More treatment centres, more care and support available, less stigma
@92D22DD2yrs2Y
only if these are not funded by public funds
@92CWWHW2yrs2Y
Provide more access to rehabilitation
@92CGFKZ2yrs2Y
Yes, but don’t just monitor whilst taking drugs but also whilst under the influence as too many go out and abuse people and drive.
@92C9BDZ2yrs2Y
Yes, but only for lower risk drugs
@92BMQF52yrs2Y
Yes, but as a pathway to rehab
@92BKBGS2yrs2Y
Yes. Only if under medical supervision and with a focus of getting off drugs.
@92BDBDJ2yrs2Y
Build biger gaols with les gagets to play with.
@92BCDL42yrs2Y
Weed yes no other drugs
Yes as long as they are also provided support and guidance to get through it
As long as they remain there during the effect of the drug
@92725862yrs2Y
Yes but should still be guided to a rehabilitation process
@926ZGXH2yrs2Y
Yes, if it is used to provide frontline access to counselors and rehabilitation experts
@926Q2NW2yrs2Y
Yes, this is necessary to reduce the drug overdose death rate and drug abuse should be treated more as a health issue, then outright as a criminal issue
@926PXWL2yrs2Y
Only weed. Nothing else.
@925G3RP2yrs2Y
In favour of it but not in any suburb I live in because it attracts drug users like flies to poop
No, but more funding to help treat addiction
@9232NXHIndependent2yrs2Y
yes, but put more funding into BETTER mental illness and rehabilitation resources
@922V2CJ2yrs2Y
Yes and provide help towards rehabilitation
Support should be given to drug addicts to help them quit. Not by supplying them with the drug they are addicted to.
They should open places that allow for addicts to slowly ease their addiction however the idea presented above could help the reduce the amount f illegal drugs used.
@8ZZNTG5Independent2yrs2Y
Yes, if it is interim step before rehabilitation
@8ZYYLPL2yrs2Y
Yes, but there should remain stiff penalties for those who do not reform
Yes, for the purpose of getting users off drugs and beating addiction.
@8ZY7ZCVIndependent2yrs2Y
More rehab facilities needed.
I believe that there should be better rehabilitation in place, however, I do like that it would lower drug overdose death numbers
i think that they should do this to a certain extent so they go there under supervision and overtime decrease the amount they are taking until they are no addicted, almost like rehab yet specialised for drug usage.
No it would encourage drug us and potentially lower funding for rehabilitation centers but Drug addiction should be treated as a health issue both mental and physical
@8ZV2RG32yrs2Y
Yes, but make them go to rehabilitation centres frequently, and get them medical help, also reduce how much drugs they are consuming every fortnight.
@8ZSGMZS2yrs2Y
Funding should go towards rehab services
Yes, this may offer a safe haven to reduce overdose, however offer support for rehabilitation for those struggling with addiction
@8ZS39G22yrs2Y
No, as it has not be effective thus far
Don’t know enough about statistics
There should be more funding to help people overcome addiction
@8ZRGHN22yrs2Y
Yes, but include rehabilitation, education (not drug related education, but for the person to be able to get a job and rejoin society etc.) and support for the individual to remain off drugs.
@8ZQRRNS2yrs2Y
Only if the "safe haven" is tied to some form of drug rehabilitation program.
Yes, drug abuse should be treated as a health issue, not a criminal issue and these "safe havens" could provide better pathways into rehabilitation centers.
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