Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-7-2019
Abstract
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more than 70 000 deaths from drug overdoses occurred in 2017, including prescription and illicit opioids, representing a 6-fold increase since 1999. Innovative harm-reduction solutions are imperative. Supervised injection facilities (SIFs) create safe places for drug injection, including overdose prevention, counseling, and treatment referral services. Supervised injection facilities neither provide illicit drugs nor do their personnel inject users. Supervised injection facilities are effective in reducing drug-related mortality, morbidity, and needle-borne infections. Yet their lawfulness remains uncertain. The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently threatened criminal prosecution for SIF operators, medical personnel, and patrons.
Publication Citation
JAMA, published online Feb. 7, 2019.
Scholarly Commons Citation
Gostin, Lawrence O.; Hodge, James G.; and Gulinson, Chelsea L., "Supervised Injection Facilities: Legal and Policy Reforms" (2019). Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works. 2140.
https://scholarship.law.georgetown.edu/facpub/2140