Injection sites model needs improvement

Re: Residents worry over supervised injection sites — Dec. 15

Remember the adage, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it?” Well, what if it is broken, should you use it anyway?

The current supervised injection site model is broken. Yes, it prevents overdosing and decreases the spread of infectious disease, but only a small percentage of people who use drugs actually use the sites and most overdoses happen at home.

The region’s public health department says that safe injection sites improve community safety by decreasing public injecting and discarded needles with no increase in drug related crimes. However, other communities still experience public injecting and needle litter, and we are given no guarantees that crime rates won’t go up.

Furthermore, it’s next to impossible to remove a safe injection site once it is established, and that is why mobile units should be explored. Safe zones around safe injection sites prevent people from being arrested if they inject publicly. However, drug dealing can increase in the zone.

People are dying and they need our help but what is the best way to help them while keeping communities safe? Cambridge coroner Dr. Harry Nykamp gave a compelling presentation to regional council. The model he proposed appears to be better for those who use drugs and the community.

If we settle for the status quo that is all we will get. Let’s work together to improve the current model. Cindy Watson Cambridge