AMERICA'S FIRST SAFE DRUG CONSUMPTION SITES SAVE LIVES—BUT WITHOUT A FOCUS ON TREATMENT

The country’s first safe drug consumption sites opened in New York City late last year and the first report by JAMA Network on the results shows benefits in the first two months of operation, including preventing 125 overdoses. There were no overdoses at the two sites, at a time when overdose fatalities are at record highs in the city and across the country. More than 600 people utilized the sites, mainly using either heroin or fentanyl intravenously, and were revived using naloxone and oxygen. The sites, opened after years of controversy, are aimed at lowering the rate of overdose, providing safe and clean environments for drug use, and offering medical care if needed. About 75 percent of participants said they would have otherwise used drugs in public. About half of those visiting the sites also received healthcare services including hepatitis C testing and holistic treatments such as acupuncture—as well as “counseling.” However, it was not spelled out what this entailed. There was also no mention of how many patients were referred to and actually entered treatment. Safe sites are a critical component of harm reduction strategies promoted by the city and the Biden administration and are the front line of saving lives in the overdose epidemic. The NYC sites show promise in this direction, but they must focus more on engaging individuals and encouraging them to seek and enter truly life-changing treatment.