Mayor says city going forward with supervised drug site

Summary

Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone is advocating for a safe injection site for drug addicts in Massachusetts, aiming to reduce the over 2000 annual deaths. Despite opposition, including from Governor Charlie Baker who prefers legal and evidence-based treatment, Curtatone is undeterred, citing Canadian data showing such sites save lives. A change of heart from former skeptic Cynthia Goldberg, influenced by frontline experience, adds to the support. The city is preparing for a potential legal fight, with a target to open the site in 2020.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Mayor Joe Curtatone of Somerville, Massachusetts, is advocating for a safe injection site for drug users to prevent overdose deaths.
• 📊 In Massachusetts, there are over 2000 deaths per year related to drug use, prompting the need for such a facility.
• 🧐 The proposed safe site aims to provide a monitored environment where addicts can use drugs safely and access treatment options.
• 🌎 Data from Canada supports the efficacy of supervised safe injection sites in saving lives.
• ❌ There is opposition to the idea, with critics arguing that these sites enable illegal drug use.
• 👨‍✈️ Governor Charlie Baker is against the safe sites, emphasizing legal, safe, and evidence-based treatment, recovery, and education methods.
• 📉 Massachusetts has seen a decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths in 2017 and 2018, partly due to existing programs.
• 💡 Cynthia Goldberg, initially against safe sites, has changed her stance after witnessing the epidemic firsthand and now supports the idea with certain conditions.
• 🏥 A panel of experts is being assembled by Mayor Curtatone to study the implementation of a safe site in Somerville.
• ⏳ The target date for opening the safe site in Somerville is set for some time in 2020.

Q & A

What is Mayor Joe Curtatone's stance on opening a safe site for addicts in Somerville?

Mayor Joe Curtatone supports opening a safe site for addicts in Somerville, viewing it as a bold and common sense solution to keep people alive and provide them with treatment options.

How many deaths per year are attributed to opioid-related overdoses in Massachusetts alone?

In Massachusetts alone, there are more than 2000 deaths per year due to opioid-related overdoses.

What does the data from Canada suggest about the impact of supervised safe injection sites?

The data from Canada indicates that clinically-supervised safe injection sites are saving lives.

What is the argument from opponents of safe injection sites?

Opponents argue that safe injection sites enable illegal drug use.

What is Governor Charlie Baker's position on safe injection sites?

Governor Charlie Baker is against safe injection sites, stating that he remains focused on legal, safe, and evidence-based approaches to treatment, recovery, and education.

How has Cynthia Goldberg's perspective on safe sites changed over time?

Cynthia Goldberg, who used to be against safe sites, has changed her thinking after six years on the front lines of the epidemic.

What conditions does Cynthia Goldberg believe should be in place for safe sites to be effective?

Cynthia Goldberg believes that safe sites should be under the care of a clinician and offer rehab options.

What is the current legal situation regarding safe injection sites in Philadelphia?

Supporters in Philadelphia are currently engaged in a legal battle with the federal government to open a safe injection site.

What is Mayor Curtatone's concern regarding potential legal challenges from the U.S. Attorney?

Mayor Curtatone is more concerned about the phone calls he receives about overdose deaths than he is about potential legal challenges from the U.S. Attorney.

What is the target date for opening a safe site in Somerville as per Mayor Curtatone's plan?

The target date for opening a safe site in Somerville is sometime in 2020.

What steps has Mayor Curtatone taken to prepare for the opening of a safe site?

Mayor Curtatone has assembled a panel of experts to study how and where to open a safe site in Somerville.