Safe injection sites are needed

Re: Injection sites get a mixed welcome — March 23

I keep hearing the same few complaints about safe injection sites: that they will increase crime and needle litter in surrounding neighbourhoods, enable drug users and won’t put an end to the opioid epidemic. But if people took the time to read the research and educate themselves on harm reduction, they would come to the same conclusions the experts already have: that not only do safe injection sites save lives but they also save taxpayers money and help alleviate some of these problems our community faces.

Some argue that safe injection sites won’t reach all users, particularly those who dying in the suburbs. Even if they’re right, does that mean we shouldn’t do anything? Who decides which lives are most valuable or worthy of our help?

Others wonder why we should even waste time and resources on drug users. I can only hope they never have to experience what it is like to struggle with mental illness and pain so severe that they have to stick a needle in their arm just to try to make it through another day.

We don’t have time to squabble over petty arguments like whether safe injection sites will decrease property values or scare shoppers away from local businesses — not when actual lives are hanging in the balance. Our fears sometimes lead us to disregard evidence in conflict with our world views. Just look at what’s going in the United States right now. Safe injection sites won’t solve all of our region’s drug problems (nor will there ever be a magic cure for addiction), but they will make a significant impact and maybe even save the life of someone you know. Jenny Kirby

Kitchener