BURLINGTON, Vermont – Leaders of Vermont’s largest city have voted to create a supervised injection for others who use heroin and other illicit drugs to reduce overdoses and treat more people.
Burlington City Council voted unanimously on Monday night in favor of a solution asking the city attorney to discuss demanding legal situations related to the creation of an overdose prevention site, also known as an injection or beverage site.
At those sites, other people may use drugs under medical supervision. Supporters say this can save lives by giving sterilized needles, physical care and medical references to addicts, WCAX-TV reported.
At least a dozen countries, in addition to Canada and several in Europe, offer such sites; U. S. cities, in addition to Seattle and Boston, have debated their authorization and the U. S. Department of Justice says they are breaking federal law.
In February, plans to open what could have been the country’s first official injection site under medical supervision in Philadelphia were suspended in opposition from a federal prosecutor and community citizens where it was allegedly located.
Critics told the Vermont news station that they believed such a Burlington facility was potentially harmful and counterproductive in an attempt to reduce drug abuse.
Mayor Miro Weinberger said he supported a greater depth of this option.
“Certainly, between the desire to pursue all the functions and the progress made through safe admission services in the Philadelphia area, I actually help in additional exploration and new investments imaginable,” he said.
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