Although it may appear counterintuitive, one of the most effective ways to address substance use disorder is through the establishment of clinics in which an individual can self-administer previously obtained controlled substances. The success rate of these harm reduction clinics, which provide a safe place for individuals and access to rehabilitative and medical services, is extremely high; not a single fatal overdose has occurred worldwide at one of these centers.
We testified in favor of legislation which would have implemented a pilot program for these clinics but noted that a critical part of its success would be statutorily ensuring that law enforcement have no jurisdiction over the clinic and couldn’t arrest anyone for activities occurring within the clinic. S 297 passed out of the Senate, but this legislation died in the House.
