The first overdose prevention center in the US was opened in New York just last November (2021). To many, this marks a victory for drug policy activists and harm-reduction advocates’ in their fight against the opioid epidemic. Those with substance use disorders who have yet to seek treatment are overdosing at rates higher than ever recorded. Overdose prevention centers exist to offer a safe, clean, and controlled environment for substance use. Surrounding each guest with attention and care will hopefully serve as an entry point into treatment, and over time remove or diminish the problem of overdosing altogether. Many inline with overdose prevention centers believe it’s a step in the right direction during this crisis, while others see it as enabling a problem. The question stands, does the world need more of these centers?
The Opioid Crisis
Understanding how overdose prevention centers play a part in society begins with grasping the ongoing issue that is the opioid crisis. The first wave of the crisis took its root after doctors began over-prescribing opioid painkillers in the 90s. In 2010 the second wave began with immediate increases in overdoses involving heroin. The third wave was recorded in 2013, with augmented overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, specifically fentanyl.
An increase in the availability of fentanyl combined with the limited social services due to COVID-19 has led to the fourth and current wave of the opioid crisis. It should be noted, this wave is also heavily impacted by stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine.
For the first time in US history, the CDC recorded over 100,000 opioid overdose deaths in a single 12-month period ending April 2021. Taking into account this surge in opioid overdose deaths, advocacy organizations have begun to highlight the urgency of coming up with solutions around overdose prevention and safer substance use policies.
What Are Overdose Prevention Centers?
Overdose Prevention Centers, safe injection sites, drug consumption centers, supervised consumption sites, harm reduction centers, or safer drug consumption sites are all the same thing with one common goal: to prevent overdose deaths and decrease harm by creating safe spaces for people to use drugs. People are given the opportunity to bring any substance to these facilities without fear of being reprimanded. Medical staff at the centers remain on the scene, ready to administer aid if needed.
Benefits of Overdose Prevention Centers
More than 2,000 people died of a drug overdose in New York in 2020, according to the New York City Health Department, which was the highest number of overdoses within the last two decades. Most overdoses are due to the calamitous opioid crisis, leading many to believe overdose prevention centers are the best response to combat overdose deaths. Overdose prevention centers assist in reducing drug-related harm and preventing unnecessary death by offering safe, clean, and medically monitored locations for those using substances. Having these precautions around substance use is critical in keeping people safe, and slowly converting long-term substance use into nonissues.
These centers provide sterile injection supplies and offer basic medical care. But more than anything, overdose prevention centers encourage this to be the setting for the beginning of the end of drug abuse. They provide an array of information to treatment onsite, and to other programs around the country. Overdose prevention centers want it to be clear that there is in no way ‘encouragement’ to drug use, but rather ‘help’ and assistance to their way out of substance use.
Cons of Overdose Prevention Centers
Critics claim that overdose prevention centers will actually be a counterproductive move to the epidemic. Since the program doesn’t exactly stop participants from using drugs, there has been a deal of controversy. Without finding the underlying issues that cause addictive patterns, some people find it pointless, and just another opportunity to use drugs. Many participants have severe mental health disorders, that perhaps, need a certain diagnosis, therapy, and suitable medications. Using drugs to cope with mental disorders only makes the issue worse — many end up in repetitive cycles of substance abuse.
If overdose prevention centers can provide programs that address diagnosis to prevent addictive patterns, they would have more potential for success. If one issue is addressed and not the other, relapse is very likely.
Final Thoughts on Overdose Prevention Centers
Since New York opened their first Overdose Prevention center on November 20, 2021 — and over 100 sites opening in 10 other countries — it is hopeful that we’ll see a prodigious increase in Overdose Prevention centers within the next decade. Given the amount of growth, and foreseen reduction in overdose-related death, it might be exactly what our society needs in supporting the opioid crisis.
Even with the amount of controversy, there is no doubt that these programs help manage issues related to drug use. From just a few now open in the US, it has been proven to help moderate use, and reduce the negative impact of drug use — such as addiction, depression and anxiety, and relapse. Nonetheless, addiction is a disease that is exceedingly complex. What is most imperative is getting the right treatment through appropriate diagnoses and support.
“With more than 100,000 people across the country dying unnecessarily” from drug overdoes, it was the right time to act, said Melissa Moore, director of civil systems reform for the Drug Policy Alliance, a non-profit that supports harm reduction and drug decriminalization.
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