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 rate by insuring the addicted patients are given drugs that are not contaminated or poisoned. Since 2001 5,900 people have overdosed at a safe haven in Sydney, Australia but no one has died. Proponents argue that the safe havens are the only proven solution to lower the overdose fatality rate and prevent the spread of diseases like HIV-AIDS. Opponents argue that safe havens may encourage illegal drug use and re-direct funding from traditional treatment centers.
@ISIDEWITH5yrs
Yes, drug abuse should be treated as a health issue, not a criminal issue
@ISIDEWITH5yrs
No, this would encourage drug use and lower funding for rehabilitation centers
@ISIDEWITH5yrs
@ISIDEWITH5yrs
Yes, this is necessary to reduce the drug overdose death rate
@92QY7WF5mos
Yes, cities should do whatever they choose
@9645CM820hrs
Yes but don’t lose funding for rehabilitation centers
@96455Y7Republican22hrs
Cities should legalize drugs and provide treatment for drug users who demonstrate a desire to accept help.
@9642PXF1 day
That would only continue to encourage the damaging behavior,
@963W3HB1 day
Yes, but they should be privately run
@95ZCJ2C3 days
Yes, only temporarily, as law enforcement and the FBI can use these centers to investigate where the drugs are coming from.
@95ZZS6B3 days
Yes but legalize it, tax it, but make sure users are being safe.
@95ZNM673 days
This is a tough issue. I believe non violent drug offences should be decriminalized, but am unsure if "safe havens" are the correct way to go.
@95YRZKD5 days
Yes, but I believe them being private would be more prudent, though obviously still regulated to prevent neglect and abuse
@95YNBM85 days
It depends on where the funding would come from
@95YN4PM5 days
I would rather fund rehabilitation and treatment facilities instead.
@95Y5FL65 days
yes, but use it to slowly lower their dosage to get them off of drugs.
@95Y3NV85 days
sure, it sounds better than it is now.
@95XYVYL5 days
I think that a safe haven is a good idea but also id like to see aduse treatment and not just supervision
@95XQV3L6 days
I think you have to be very careful. Drug use is not inherently a crime in my eyes, because it is just the body and mind getting addicted to something. So this safe haven could work, but only if at the same time the people are being taught to let go of drugs.
@95XF42X6 days
yes, but only as a way of weening them off of their addiction
@95X4HJY6 days
Yes, but include treatment options as well
@95WYL2B6 days
I think we need to focus more on rehabilitating them then criminalizing them if they are'nt harming others but I see too many ways this could go wrong.
@95WSP456 days
Yes, but these facilities should push healthy rehabilitation instead of complacency.
@95WMC6Y7 days
@95VJH9M1wk
Yes, but only in the attempt to recover and no longer be addicted from the drug
@95VG49M1wk
Yes, but only if they agree to accept help and get clean.
@95V5BRT1wk
No but fund rehabilitation and mental health facilities
@95TYJJX1wk
No. I live in Appalachia. This is the last thing we need.
@95THZH31wk
No, funds should be allocated for rehabilitation
@95T2LLT1wk
No. But cities should make their own individual choices.
@95SNWCT1wk
Yes, but encourage rehab
@95SLGBK1wk
Yes, for a time, in order to determine if the service will have a net positive effect on reducing ODs and increasing rehab admissions.
@95RV4VN1wk
No, but offer more free rehabilitation centers
@95RT9SC1wk
I feel that while safe havens are a good idea we should focus on making rehabilitation more accessible and affordable
Yes, but connect them to rehabilitation centers so those who are addicted can get help immediately if they desire it.
@95RJNMZ1wk
Yes but only as a last resort measure
@95R6CCX1wk
No, but drug abuse should be treated more as a health or mental health issue and amnesty locations should be available
@95R49671wk
No, This should be handled by a higher level government department.
Yes but to be “weened off” the drug
No, illegal means illegal no shortcuts.
Yes, But regulate the amount they use heavily
@95MZ2S52wks
No, but rehabilitation centers should be authorized to wean people off of drugs with progressively smaller doses.
@95NMK682wks
Yes, as this would help decrease the amount of overdoses caused in the us tied states of America, while still allowing the society to take care and manage the amount we use, to maybe “get off” the abuse.
Yes but only if combined with forced rehabilitation efforts.
No, focus more on rehabilitation methods. instead of encouraging use, encouraging getting sober.
Yes, only in these places they will be eased out of their heavy use of drugs
@95LRBX42wks
They should be under watch by the government for the illegal smuggling.
@95J4RDN2wks
no but legalize some drugs
The historical activity of users engaging with this question.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
