Should medical professionals help heroin addicts inject their drugs in a safe environment? This question has been rattling around in the media for decades, and you can easily see why. Heroin is possibly one of the most dangerous drugs on the planet and is responsible for causing a major brunt of the Opioid Crisis. So, why should doctors help people take an illegal substance? Experts have argued that safe injection sites (or safe consumption sites) provide much-needed medical attention that can prevent or reverse overdoses and can prevent the spread of hepatitis C or HIV (due to dirty needles). However, in the past week, the Justice Department seems to be cracking down on one of these facilities in Philadelphia. Let’s take a closer look and find out why this is taking place.
A Safehouse for Addicts
Recently, the Justice Department has sued in an effort to stop a Philadelphia-based group from opening a safe injection site. At the location (dubbed “Safehouse”), drug users would be welcome to inject fentanyl and other illegal drugs in a safe environment, where they could be monitored and provided with necessary medication. In part, the organization could not have come at a better time. Safehouse was developed to aid the people of Philadelphia, a city that currently boasts one of the highest rates of overdose-related fatalities in the United States. In short, it would have been a huge front against the Opioid Crisis. So, why is the government cracking down on this?
Blending Medical and Philosophical Approaches
Ultimately, the problem with safe injection sites all stems from the integration of philosophical and ethical approaches. Although these locations would provide a high-quality space for drug consumption, many people argue that medically-sanctioned illegal drugs are an outlandish, even if this process would help save the lives of millions of lives.
Based on the lawsuit issued by the Courts, officials have asked justices to declare that safe injection sites will be illegal, as decreed by the Controlled Substances Act. William M. McSwain (U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania) has declared that the normalization of deadly opioids is not going to help the crisis in any way. In a sense, you can see why.
Seeking Treatment for Opioid Addiction
Opioids are extremely potent and dangerous drugs that have a high risk for abuse and addiction and can be particularly dangerous for both adults and teens alike. These substances can trigger severe dependency and a string of unpleasant health problems (including residual pain) as well. So, imagine how dangerous this situation can become when even deadlier opioids like heroin and fentanyl are introduced into the picture. Regardless of what drug you may be addicted to, though, you can always find a way to recover and get your life back on track. All you need is a little bit of patience, perseverance, and a lot of love for yourself.
If you are suffering from a severe case of opioid addiction or have a friend or a loved one who is coping with this deadly problem, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward fighting the Opioid Crisis.
