In the news: San Francisco Considers Injection Room
Drug Addiction Has No Mercy
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Milwaukie Oregon
Posts: 875
In the news: San Francisco Considers Injection Room
Article from The Associated Press
San Francisco Considers Injection Room
By LISA LEFF
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — City health officials took steps Thursday toward opening the nation's first legal safe-injection room, where addicts could shoot up heroin, cocaine and other drugs under the supervision of nurses.
Hoping to reduce San Francisco's high rate of fatal drug overdoses, the public health department co-sponsored a symposium on the only such facility in North America, a four-year-old Vancouver site where an estimated 700 intravenous users a day self-administer narcotics under the supervision of nurses.
"Having the conversation today will help us figure out whether this is a way to reduce the harms and improve the health of our community," said Grant Colfax, director of HIV prevention for the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
Organizers of the daylong forum, which also included a coalition of nonprofit health and social-service groups, acknowledge that it could take years to get an injection center up and running. Along with legal hurdles at the state and federal level, such an effort would be almost sure to face political opposition.
Bertha Madras, deputy director of demand reduction for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, called San Francisco's consideration of such a facility "disconcerting" and "poor public policy."
"The underlying philosophy is, 'We accept drug addiction, we accept the state of affairs as acceptable,'" Madras said. "This is a form of giving up."
Sixty-five similar facilities exist in 27 cities in eight countries, but no other U.S. cities have considered creating one, according to Hilary McQuie, Western director for the Harm Reduction Coalition, a nonprofit that promotes alternative drug treatment methods.
"If it happens anywhere in the U.S., it will most likely start in San Francisco," McQuie said. "It really just depends on if there is a political will here. How long it takes for that political will to develop is the main factor."
Drug overdoses represented about one of every seven emergency calls handled by city paramedics between July 2006 and July 2007, according to San Francisco Fire Department Capt. Niels Tangherlini. At the same time, the number of deaths linked to overdoses has declined from a high of about 160 in 1995 to 40 in 2004, he said.
Colfax estimated that there are between 11,000 and 15,000 intravenous drug users in San Francisco, most of them homeless men. Like many large U.S. cities, the city operates a clean-needle exchange program to reduce HIV and hepatitis C infections.
Advocates plan to work on building community support for a safe-injection center, including backing from Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Board of Supervisors.
The mayor's spokesman, Nathan Ballard, said Thursday that although he does not want to discourage debate, he "is not inclined to support this program because, quite frankly, it may create more problems than it supposedly addresses."
In Switzerland, Spain and other European countries with such programs, the sites have been placed in existing public health clinics and created as stand-alone centers, said Andrew Reynolds, a program coordinator with San Francisco's city-run sexually transmitted diseases clinic.
Possible locations for opening one in the city include homeless shelters, AIDS clinics or drug treatment centers, he said.
"They aren't these hedonistic dens of iniquity," Reynolds said. "There is no buying or selling of drugs on the premises. Staff do not assist in injections."
While it's too early to tell what the room in San Francisco would look like, Vancouver's InSite program is on the upper floor of a low-rise building in a downtown neighborhood where drug users shoot up in the open.
The site, exempt from federal drug laws so users can visit without fear of arrest, has 12 private booths where addicts inject drugs such as heroin, cocaine or crystal. They can use equipment and techniques provided by the staff, and then relax with a cup of coffee or get medical attention in the "chill out" room where they are observed, said program coordinator Sarah Evans.
"It looks kind of like a hair salon," Evans said of the bustling space. "If we were a restaurant, we would be making a profit."
While 800 overdoses have occurred on the premises, none resulted in death because of the medical supervision provided at InSite, said Thomas Kerr, a University of British Columbia researcher who has extensively studied the program. His research also has shown an increase in addicts seeking drug treatment and a decrease in abandoned syringes, needle-sharing, drug-related crime and other problems since the clinic opened, he said.
The results indicate the idea is worth replicating, despite the criticism it may attract, Kerr said.
"I prefer the approach of the Vancouver Police Department, which was: 'We don't like the idea of this, but let's look at the evidence and at the end of three years we will tell you either this is something we can support or it's something we can't support,'" he said.
Temple University law professor Scott Burris told the audience at Thursday's forum that a supervised injection room would seem to run afoul of federal drug possession laws and a state statute that makes it illegal to operate a crack house or any place where drugs are used, but only if the police and federal agents enforce them.
He cited as an example California's medical marijuana law, which has allowed pot dispensaries to flourish but at the risk of being raided by federal authorities.
"The law isn't a barrier," Burris said. "The issue of whether it's legal doesn't come up until somebody is arrested."
San Francisco Considers Injection Room
By LISA LEFF
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — City health officials took steps Thursday toward opening the nation's first legal safe-injection room, where addicts could shoot up heroin, cocaine and other drugs under the supervision of nurses.
Hoping to reduce San Francisco's high rate of fatal drug overdoses, the public health department co-sponsored a symposium on the only such facility in North America, a four-year-old Vancouver site where an estimated 700 intravenous users a day self-administer narcotics under the supervision of nurses.
"Having the conversation today will help us figure out whether this is a way to reduce the harms and improve the health of our community," said Grant Colfax, director of HIV prevention for the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
Organizers of the daylong forum, which also included a coalition of nonprofit health and social-service groups, acknowledge that it could take years to get an injection center up and running. Along with legal hurdles at the state and federal level, such an effort would be almost sure to face political opposition.
Bertha Madras, deputy director of demand reduction for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, called San Francisco's consideration of such a facility "disconcerting" and "poor public policy."
"The underlying philosophy is, 'We accept drug addiction, we accept the state of affairs as acceptable,'" Madras said. "This is a form of giving up."
Sixty-five similar facilities exist in 27 cities in eight countries, but no other U.S. cities have considered creating one, according to Hilary McQuie, Western director for the Harm Reduction Coalition, a nonprofit that promotes alternative drug treatment methods.
"If it happens anywhere in the U.S., it will most likely start in San Francisco," McQuie said. "It really just depends on if there is a political will here. How long it takes for that political will to develop is the main factor."
Drug overdoses represented about one of every seven emergency calls handled by city paramedics between July 2006 and July 2007, according to San Francisco Fire Department Capt. Niels Tangherlini. At the same time, the number of deaths linked to overdoses has declined from a high of about 160 in 1995 to 40 in 2004, he said.
Colfax estimated that there are between 11,000 and 15,000 intravenous drug users in San Francisco, most of them homeless men. Like many large U.S. cities, the city operates a clean-needle exchange program to reduce HIV and hepatitis C infections.
Advocates plan to work on building community support for a safe-injection center, including backing from Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Board of Supervisors.
The mayor's spokesman, Nathan Ballard, said Thursday that although he does not want to discourage debate, he "is not inclined to support this program because, quite frankly, it may create more problems than it supposedly addresses."
In Switzerland, Spain and other European countries with such programs, the sites have been placed in existing public health clinics and created as stand-alone centers, said Andrew Reynolds, a program coordinator with San Francisco's city-run sexually transmitted diseases clinic.
Possible locations for opening one in the city include homeless shelters, AIDS clinics or drug treatment centers, he said.
"They aren't these hedonistic dens of iniquity," Reynolds said. "There is no buying or selling of drugs on the premises. Staff do not assist in injections."
While it's too early to tell what the room in San Francisco would look like, Vancouver's InSite program is on the upper floor of a low-rise building in a downtown neighborhood where drug users shoot up in the open.
The site, exempt from federal drug laws so users can visit without fear of arrest, has 12 private booths where addicts inject drugs such as heroin, cocaine or crystal. They can use equipment and techniques provided by the staff, and then relax with a cup of coffee or get medical attention in the "chill out" room where they are observed, said program coordinator Sarah Evans.
"It looks kind of like a hair salon," Evans said of the bustling space. "If we were a restaurant, we would be making a profit."
While 800 overdoses have occurred on the premises, none resulted in death because of the medical supervision provided at InSite, said Thomas Kerr, a University of British Columbia researcher who has extensively studied the program. His research also has shown an increase in addicts seeking drug treatment and a decrease in abandoned syringes, needle-sharing, drug-related crime and other problems since the clinic opened, he said.
The results indicate the idea is worth replicating, despite the criticism it may attract, Kerr said.
"I prefer the approach of the Vancouver Police Department, which was: 'We don't like the idea of this, but let's look at the evidence and at the end of three years we will tell you either this is something we can support or it's something we can't support,'" he said.
Temple University law professor Scott Burris told the audience at Thursday's forum that a supervised injection room would seem to run afoul of federal drug possession laws and a state statute that makes it illegal to operate a crack house or any place where drugs are used, but only if the police and federal agents enforce them.
He cited as an example California's medical marijuana law, which has allowed pot dispensaries to flourish but at the risk of being raided by federal authorities.
"The law isn't a barrier," Burris said. "The issue of whether it's legal doesn't come up until somebody is arrested."
Drug Addiction Has No Mercy
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Milwaukie Oregon
Posts: 875
So am I processing this correctly?
Drug addicts can go out on the street and purchase illegal drugs .. and the state will provide them a haven staffed with enablers of sort .. and they can freely shoot up .. then enjoy some of the comforts of home "chill, have coffee .. watch tv" sheesh why not cater them meals (oh, thats right addicts don't eat)
Wonder who is paying for this set up, staff and medical care? can we say taxpayers
it kinda looks like a hair salon .. Ohhhhhhhh kkkkkkk - I get it addicts have lots of bad hair days (the before the hair cut look)
if we were a restaurant we'd be makin' a profit ... Oh .. I wouldn't doubt that will be the next step -
"Hey Joe ya wanna cop some smack and head on down to the shooting galary
we can bang, watch tv, nod all at the same time and the best thing about is .. we got the states blessings."
My thoughts are that there is going to be an up rise in IV drug users .. the addicts who base, snort or pill pop are gonna think hey why not just switch to shootin' "I can take the dope I score off the streets (Illegal drugs) and go to the "shooting galary" be supplied with a rig (needle) and get a skilled addict to hit me ...
One day I wouldn't doubt if the state will provide them with not only a place to do it and the dope to do it with as well - for a price of course .. Lest we not forget
waitress: Coffee, tea, stimulants, downers, or.....
addict: you serve coke-aine right?
waitress: yes sir, we do
addict: cool
waitress: okay so you want the coke-aine sir?
addict: um, yeah I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with that, um yeah ..but hey, how pure is it?
waitress: we have crystalline =cola, cut=uncola, or bunk
waitress: bunk is the cheapest of course - personally I wouldn't recommend it
addict: hows your uncola?
waitress: I hear its pretty good ... a lot of our addicts like it
addict: okay, gimme a pop of the uncola
waitress: The uncola ... okay .. can I get you anything else?
addict: nah I'm good
waitress: don't need a rig = needle
addict: nah I me one already
waitress okay sir ... that will be $35.00 .. cash or checks or charge?
waitress: I have to tell you upfront that if you do choose to write a check or charge it
we process it before bringing you your order .. and the funds come out from your account immediately
addict: (gives a nod of understanding}
waitress: (smiles) be back in a jiff with your order sir
yeah .. thats the ticket .. Lets just co-sign addiction
(sigh)
Passion
Drug addicts can go out on the street and purchase illegal drugs .. and the state will provide them a haven staffed with enablers of sort .. and they can freely shoot up .. then enjoy some of the comforts of home "chill, have coffee .. watch tv" sheesh why not cater them meals (oh, thats right addicts don't eat)
Wonder who is paying for this set up, staff and medical care? can we say taxpayers
"It looks kind of like a hair salon," Evans said of the bustling space. "If we were a restaurant, we would be making a profit."
if we were a restaurant we'd be makin' a profit ... Oh .. I wouldn't doubt that will be the next step -
"Hey Joe ya wanna cop some smack and head on down to the shooting galary
we can bang, watch tv, nod all at the same time and the best thing about is .. we got the states blessings."
My thoughts are that there is going to be an up rise in IV drug users .. the addicts who base, snort or pill pop are gonna think hey why not just switch to shootin' "I can take the dope I score off the streets (Illegal drugs) and go to the "shooting galary" be supplied with a rig (needle) and get a skilled addict to hit me ...
One day I wouldn't doubt if the state will provide them with not only a place to do it and the dope to do it with as well - for a price of course .. Lest we not forget
if we were a restaurant we'd be makin' a profit
addict: you serve coke-aine right?
waitress: yes sir, we do
addict: cool
waitress: okay so you want the coke-aine sir?
addict: um, yeah I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with that, um yeah ..but hey, how pure is it?
waitress: we have crystalline =cola, cut=uncola, or bunk
waitress: bunk is the cheapest of course - personally I wouldn't recommend it
addict: hows your uncola?
waitress: I hear its pretty good ... a lot of our addicts like it
addict: okay, gimme a pop of the uncola
waitress: The uncola ... okay .. can I get you anything else?
addict: nah I'm good
waitress: don't need a rig = needle
addict: nah I me one already
waitress okay sir ... that will be $35.00 .. cash or checks or charge?
waitress: I have to tell you upfront that if you do choose to write a check or charge it
we process it before bringing you your order .. and the funds come out from your account immediately
addict: (gives a nod of understanding}
waitress: (smiles) be back in a jiff with your order sir
yeah .. thats the ticket .. Lets just co-sign addiction
(sigh)
Passion
Last edited by nytepassion; 10-19-2007 at 07:27 AM.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Stumbling toward happiness
Posts: 4,706
Passion,
I don't agree with these kinds of policies either.
So we keep the addicts off the streets, make it comfortable for them to keep using their drug, so they don't overdose on the streets.....so they can stay addicts for the rest of their lives rather than suffering the consequences of their actions? I can imagine how it might feel to be married to a junkie who's stolen everything of value from the house to buy heroin, and know that they're in this cushy space shooting up while you're at home trying to figure out how to feed the kids on a box of cereal and a bottle of ketchup.
I'm sorry. I "get it" but I think it's a ridiculous use of tax money.
Sigh.
GL
I don't agree with these kinds of policies either.
So we keep the addicts off the streets, make it comfortable for them to keep using their drug, so they don't overdose on the streets.....so they can stay addicts for the rest of their lives rather than suffering the consequences of their actions? I can imagine how it might feel to be married to a junkie who's stolen everything of value from the house to buy heroin, and know that they're in this cushy space shooting up while you're at home trying to figure out how to feed the kids on a box of cereal and a bottle of ketchup.
I'm sorry. I "get it" but I think it's a ridiculous use of tax money.
Sigh.
GL
Nature Girl
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: By The Lake
Posts: 60,328
(((Passion)))
I held beck from posting because I thought that my thoughts on this might seem like a put-down of your post (aren't I the good codie, lol)
I agree so much, this is NOT what we need. With the money spend on projects like this, think of how many rehabs and recovery programs could be financed for those who really want help and for education for kids who my choose NOT to try drugs if they really understand how awful addiction is.
I don't believe addiction will go away whether we have these places or not. There are already places where addicts can get clean needles and healthy information.
And they had 800 overdoses!!! Does that not say it all?
Over my dead body would a place like that go up in my city or town.
Hugs
I held beck from posting because I thought that my thoughts on this might seem like a put-down of your post (aren't I the good codie, lol)
I agree so much, this is NOT what we need. With the money spend on projects like this, think of how many rehabs and recovery programs could be financed for those who really want help and for education for kids who my choose NOT to try drugs if they really understand how awful addiction is.
I don't believe addiction will go away whether we have these places or not. There are already places where addicts can get clean needles and healthy information.
And they had 800 overdoses!!! Does that not say it all?
Over my dead body would a place like that go up in my city or town.
Hugs
On a tear
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Volcano Country!
Posts: 3,221
My first thought was the same as above.. what the he??...
But, it does sound like it increases safety and lowers risk to innocents in the community (such as those who get needle sticks, little kids finding needles, etc.).
This idea runs along the lines of do we want to legalize drug use and then tax the hell out of it in order to decriminalize the condition of addiction. This is an idea I struggle with.
Mlost "harm reduction" policies include some enabling. There are clinics here that propose to meth addicts that they reduce the number of times per week that they get high, as opposed to quitting entirely. They also suggest moderation by using pot instead of meth... the idea being that pot or reduced use preserves some brain cells for the possibility of future recovery.
Something I've always known... a dead addict cannot find recovery.
At what point is it ok to keep an addict alive so they can seek out a sober life? Many in meetings have told me they are grateful to the ones who put a dollar in their hat because those dollars kept them alive until they were able to seek out recovery.
Up in Seattle, there is a drunk house that allows active alcoholics to live there with nursing supervision on the premises. The idea being that they can do controlled drinking, get emergency help before it BECOMES and emergency, and overall reduce the impact of their drinking on the community.
This San Francisco idea seems along those same lines.
That is a hard one. Prohibition not only did not work, it increased the black market for booze and the total amount of drinking in the country. One wonders if eventual drug legalization might also reduce the underground trade in drugs and overall use and even produce a higher quality, cleaner (healthier?) product.
I definitely have mixed feelings about this and am interested in some outcome studies in a year or so....
Thanks for bringing this in here for discussion, Passion. (((hugs)))
But, it does sound like it increases safety and lowers risk to innocents in the community (such as those who get needle sticks, little kids finding needles, etc.).
This idea runs along the lines of do we want to legalize drug use and then tax the hell out of it in order to decriminalize the condition of addiction. This is an idea I struggle with.
Mlost "harm reduction" policies include some enabling. There are clinics here that propose to meth addicts that they reduce the number of times per week that they get high, as opposed to quitting entirely. They also suggest moderation by using pot instead of meth... the idea being that pot or reduced use preserves some brain cells for the possibility of future recovery.
Something I've always known... a dead addict cannot find recovery.
At what point is it ok to keep an addict alive so they can seek out a sober life? Many in meetings have told me they are grateful to the ones who put a dollar in their hat because those dollars kept them alive until they were able to seek out recovery.
Up in Seattle, there is a drunk house that allows active alcoholics to live there with nursing supervision on the premises. The idea being that they can do controlled drinking, get emergency help before it BECOMES and emergency, and overall reduce the impact of their drinking on the community.
This San Francisco idea seems along those same lines.
That is a hard one. Prohibition not only did not work, it increased the black market for booze and the total amount of drinking in the country. One wonders if eventual drug legalization might also reduce the underground trade in drugs and overall use and even produce a higher quality, cleaner (healthier?) product.
I definitely have mixed feelings about this and am interested in some outcome studies in a year or so....
Thanks for bringing this in here for discussion, Passion. (((hugs)))
Drug Addiction Has No Mercy
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Milwaukie Oregon
Posts: 875
****{Ann}}}
No .. I want to hear honest to goodness thoughts on this ... and I know thoughts differ
I can handle that without feeling put down (a blessing that comes with recovery LOL)
I know that addiction exist and will exist regardless of these kinds of places or not, but c'mon now do we really have to make it cozy comfortable ...
There are struggling families out there who have to sleep in dope infested shelters with criminals and all. I'd much rather see the money go to help them or single moms, domestic violence victims .... the list goes on ...
I mean c'mon why not a daycare facility staffed with qualified caretakers to watch children so that struggling moms can go to work and make a decent living .. something that will edify and build up ... something good.
I wish I lived there .. I'd be out in front sign in hand antidrugs (recruiting for recovery) LOL
My first reaction was what I wrote that followed the Original post.
But even though I don't like the thought of what they're doing - I understand all the semantics and I do get why they're doing it.
Passion
No .. I want to hear honest to goodness thoughts on this ... and I know thoughts differ
I can handle that without feeling put down (a blessing that comes with recovery LOL)I know that addiction exist and will exist regardless of these kinds of places or not, but c'mon now do we really have to make it cozy comfortable ...
There are struggling families out there who have to sleep in dope infested shelters with criminals and all. I'd much rather see the money go to help them or single moms, domestic violence victims .... the list goes on ...
I mean c'mon why not a daycare facility staffed with qualified caretakers to watch children so that struggling moms can go to work and make a decent living .. something that will edify and build up ... something good.
I wish I lived there .. I'd be out in front sign in hand antidrugs (recruiting for recovery) LOL
My first reaction was what I wrote that followed the Original post.
But even though I don't like the thought of what they're doing - I understand all the semantics and I do get why they're doing it.
Passion
Bridge CLOSED
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: No ones business
Posts: 1,497
I just hate that addiction has become so common place things like this even are considered!
Playing devil's advocate, there are those here who have lost loved ones to tainted drugs and overdosing.. and I wonder if a place like this were available if any of those people would still be alive?
More of society symptoms and its long decline. Every great Nation has had a time of growth and a time of struggle and those things have made the Nation great. This is often followed by a golden age which leads to societal complacency. Eventually, because there is no sturggle, the thing becomes rotten and implodes.
Examples of this are Athens, the Roman Empire, the English Empire and, now, the US. We are in the golden age.. less is more and complacency is rampant (less than 50% of people of voting age actually VOTE).
Struggle makes us strong. there has been no joint effort or true struggle.. doing without for the good of the National Cause.. since WW2.
We have safety nets.. social programs.. ways to be fed if there is no money etc etc. I am not sure if these things are all good or all bad (probably neither) and I have no answers...
I offer no solutions. I only know that struggle makes us strong.. as individuals, as a Nation... Struggle that has reward (like working hard to get ahead) is a catalyst. Of course, struggle with no reward causes strife and upheavel. History has those examples as well (French Revolution, American Revolution etc.).
No answers.. just a rant I guess.
Playing devil's advocate, there are those here who have lost loved ones to tainted drugs and overdosing.. and I wonder if a place like this were available if any of those people would still be alive?
More of society symptoms and its long decline. Every great Nation has had a time of growth and a time of struggle and those things have made the Nation great. This is often followed by a golden age which leads to societal complacency. Eventually, because there is no sturggle, the thing becomes rotten and implodes.
Examples of this are Athens, the Roman Empire, the English Empire and, now, the US. We are in the golden age.. less is more and complacency is rampant (less than 50% of people of voting age actually VOTE).
Struggle makes us strong. there has been no joint effort or true struggle.. doing without for the good of the National Cause.. since WW2.
We have safety nets.. social programs.. ways to be fed if there is no money etc etc. I am not sure if these things are all good or all bad (probably neither) and I have no answers...
I offer no solutions. I only know that struggle makes us strong.. as individuals, as a Nation... Struggle that has reward (like working hard to get ahead) is a catalyst. Of course, struggle with no reward causes strife and upheavel. History has those examples as well (French Revolution, American Revolution etc.).
No answers.. just a rant I guess.
*~10 YEARS BABY~*
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hollywood
Posts: 9,369
Well I'm glad it was never easier to do my drugs, the harder it was for me to do them, the less it made me want to do them. I understand the fact that they are trying to save lives, but the face is that is a consequence of doing drugs. That's why you should
'want to stop' not want a safe way to do them. Why not take that money and help the addicts who "Want help" not the ones who want to shoot up. It doesn't make sense to me. Sorry but if you shoot up you are dancing with death. It is what it is.
But hey, go down to the corner and we'll help you shoot up, but if you want help to stop, sorry we can't help you.
I'm just glad no one helped me in any way shape or form with my drugs.
What about safe drug dealers? Ones that wouldn't shoot you if they think
that you screwed them when you really didn't? Are they going to provide
them next?
God (or whoever you believe in)
gave us risks in life and made bad things happen to us when we do
things that are wrong so we know when to stop or
"CHANGE OUR BEHAVIOR"....
JMO
'want to stop' not want a safe way to do them. Why not take that money and help the addicts who "Want help" not the ones who want to shoot up. It doesn't make sense to me. Sorry but if you shoot up you are dancing with death. It is what it is.
But hey, go down to the corner and we'll help you shoot up, but if you want help to stop, sorry we can't help you.
I'm just glad no one helped me in any way shape or form with my drugs.
What about safe drug dealers? Ones that wouldn't shoot you if they think
that you screwed them when you really didn't? Are they going to provide
them next?
God (or whoever you believe in)
gave us risks in life and made bad things happen to us when we do
things that are wrong so we know when to stop or
"CHANGE OUR BEHAVIOR"....
JMO
*~10 YEARS BABY~*
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hollywood
Posts: 9,369
Originally Posted by sherryb1010 
What about when they kill somebody operating a vehicle after visiting this place?
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: behind the viewfinder...
Posts: 6,278
"If it happens anywhere in the U.S., it will most likely start in San Francisco,"
BTW, I agree with Miss Done, we should be making it easier to quit, not easier to stay addicted.
L
remember to breathe
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: philadelphia pa
Posts: 1,280
First of all if they have coffee and a tv what makes them think these "homeless" people will leave? soon they'll have cots then why not just make a kitchen. Oh wait then it would be a home, and if they have a home they don't have to pay for why work (thats if they do)and what the hell lets just steal and shoot and watch tv. Oh the life of an addict!!!!!
Hasn't anyone told them about stepping away from the addict.
I don't like the idea of people dying of overdoses anymore than the next person (not to mention my son is an IV heroin addict) but really thats going just abit over the top.
Hasn't anyone told them about stepping away from the addict.
I don't like the idea of people dying of overdoses anymore than the next person (not to mention my son is an IV heroin addict) but really thats going just abit over the top.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 31,179
Okay - I'm with Done-with-it. If I had been allowed to go somewhere and chill, while smoking crack, I'd probably still be doing it. If I didn't have to face consequences I'd never have sought recovery.
This totally blow my mind. There are so many addicts who want to get into detox and rehab but can't afford it, but rather than help those who want help, they're going to help the ones who just want to stay high.
Amy
This totally blow my mind. There are so many addicts who want to get into detox and rehab but can't afford it, but rather than help those who want help, they're going to help the ones who just want to stay high.
Amy
Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Midwest
Posts: 66
Originally Posted by GiveLove
So we keep the addicts off the streets, make it comfortable for them to keep using their drug, so they don't overdose on the streets.....so they can stay addicts for the rest of their lives rather than suffering the consequences of their actions? I can imagine how it might feel to be married to a junkie who's stolen everything of value from the house to buy heroin, and know that they're in this cushy space shooting up while you're at home trying to figure out how to feed the kids on a box of cereal and a bottle of ketchup.
Jen
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 773
I think it's actually a good idea. It would reduce the risk of overdosing and lower HIV infections. That would save "taxpayers" plenty. The coffee idea is a nice touch also. It lets the addicts know that they are still human beings. I know here in Cook County (Chicago) many addicts get a special card that allows them to have hypodermict needles without getting arrested. Studies have shown that it has lowered HIV infection in the addict community. I really hope this law passes.
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