As the United States continues to battle the opioid crisis, the impacts of which cause the drug overdose deaths of more than 1,000 Connecticut residents every year, it’s becoming clear that old approaches to fighting drug use aren’t working.
The War On Drugs was ineffective, and while we’ve made great strides to increase access to Narcan in recent years, more can be done to save lives.
The foremost thing we need to do is remove the stigma surrounding drug use. Negative associations made by others regarding drug use can lead to worse patient care from clinicians, according to the National Institutes of Health, in some instances preventing people from seeking care and possibly even worsening the impact of their substance-use disorder.
There’s a better way: overdose reduction centers. These centers, which have grown in adoption and awareness in recent years, are locations where people with substance- use disorder can use substances in a less dangerous setting than underground locations they may otherwise be pushed to.
Senate Bill 492, which I introduced to the Public Health Committee this year, would establish a pilot program to establish at least four of these centers across the state, study their use and adoption and seek to shift the conversation around these matters.
These spaces aren’t designed specifically to encourage drug use, but instead reflect the reality that individuals with substance use disorder are going to use substances until or unless they accept treatment. Accordingly, overdose reduction centers offer sterile and safe syringes and needles to users, but do not offer drugs. Access to the lifesaving overdose reversal drug Narcan is readily available at these locations, which are already offered in a number of countries overseas. The National Institute on Drug Abuse said that, with these centers operating for more than 20 years, statistics found no individuals have died of overdoses at these centers themselves.
The NIDA further said that research connects these facilities with reductions in public drug use, demand on local health care and demand on emergency response services. They’re also connected with increased access to substance-use disorder treatment.
Overdose reduction centers also offer education to users on safe use, overdose prevention and safe disposal of used syringes and other materials, according to the New Jersey Department of Health, which operates services supporting these spaces. Some locations also go further, offering connections to services individuals can use to seek treatment or provide access to food, laundry services, restrooms and showers, and other resources valuable for struggling individuals, especially those experiencing homelessness.
The societal impact of overdose reduction centers is stronger. According to the Drug Policy Alliance, these centers reduce syringes being discarded, cutting down on both pollution and public health risks; decrease the risk that a user experiences physical or sexual violence; and reduce risk behaviors directly associated with serious illnesses like hepatitis and HIV.
A 2022 survey by Data for Progress found this issue is supported by 64% of Americans surveyed, with net support from Democrats, Republicans and independent and third party voters. It’s a forward-thinking policy that provides someone with substance-use disorder with increased personal safety and security, also providing them with a path to access treatment and care if or when they determine they want to pursue it.
We need to reduce the number of Connecticut families and friends who experience the loss of a loved one with substance-use disorder. By providing those struggling with the resources they need to stay safe and pursue improvement, as well as a more supportive environment encouraging them to seek help, overdose reduction centers can help us accomplish that goal.