Malik 1

Shahbaz Hassan Khan Malik

Matha Rosenfeld

English 113B

10 March 2018

Are Drug Injection Sites a good way to monitor and control drug use?

The U.S. spends approximately $6 billion annually to cover the medical costs of

individuals injecting drugs (Cohen). In the article, “Why Safe Injection Sites for Drug Addicts

Should Be Legal,” author, Georgi Boorman states her agreement regarding the legalization of

supervised injection sites. According to her, they allow supervisors to intervene in over dosage

situations. Entitling safe injection sites as Health Engagement Locations, the author maintains

that regardless of the benefits carried by them, usage of drugs is a dangerous habit and the users

should be punished. The writer considers that drug injection sites attract homeless people, stating

that homelessness and addiction are the two problems that go in parallel; however, she also

admits that these sites curb deaths caused by over-dosage. Boorman believes that supervised

injection sites are based on a harm reduction model, meaning that they are only able to reduce

the harm caused by drugs, but not completely eliminate it. She criticizes the government, stating

that their strategy of striking drug dealers is not effective since the addicts are going to find a

way of consuming drugs, one way or the other. The author predicts a decline in the rate of public

drug use caused, which will be caused by drug injection sites. Boorman concludes her argument,

requesting the government to try innovative methods for preventing deaths. Critics state that drug

injection sites increase taxes, but I assert that they are a good way to monitor and control drug

use since they prevent the spread of diseases and provide drug users with a forum of exchanging

ideas. Also, they help in reducing criminal activities and allow the government to save money.
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Some may argue that drug injection sites encourage people in using drugs; however, I

believe that they prevent the spread of deadly diseases by facilitating drug addicts with a

hygienic environment under the supervision of medical professionals; hence, alleviating unsafe

drug practices that pose threat to drug addicts along with rest of the population. Lack of safe

consumption facilities force drug addicts to use the streets, alleys, backyards, or neighborhoods

for consuming narcotics. The problem with these places is that they’re are not made for

consumption of drugs; they’re rather made for other purposes such as, garbage collection,

recreational activities, parking, etc. Most importantly, they’re used by a considerable of number

of people for travelling from one place to another. The streets, alleys, and backyards are public

places; hence, they fail to provide sanitary environment to a drug user who puts their and

everyone else’s life on risk. One of the dangerous consequences of using drugs in public is “drug

litter.” Now, because drug addicts are not provided with proper facilities for consumption and

disposal of drugs; they dispose of their needles, syringes, and other drug related equipment on

the sidewalks which poses a serious threat to the public who become prone to getting in contact

with the used needles. When a person comes in contact with a discarded needle that is lying on

the pavement, they get infected with life threatening diseases. Basically, during the contact, the

needle breaks through or punctures their skin, causing, what’s known as, a needle stick injury.

It’s a dangerous type of injury which facilitates the transmission of fluids from the drug user into

the victim’s blood; hence transporting diseases, bacteria, and virus, such as HIV, Hepatitis B,

and Hepatitis C. HIV also gives rise to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which is most

commonly known as AIDS. Jack, a CSUN freshman whom I interviewed says, “Yesterday, I was

just randomly walking to Starbucks near my home and I was wearing my flip flops. I suddenly

felt something sharp that went through the rubber sole of my flip flops and pricked my left foot.
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It was a long needle. I was so scared! I had to go through numerous tests to confirm if I was

infected, or not. Worse day of my life. Luckily, I’m still doing well. We need safe injection sites

everywhere, just like hospitals.” The transmission of diseases is not restricted to humans only;

animals also come in contact with used needles. Their cognitive and practical capabilities do not

match with those possessed by humans; hence, they are unable to clearly distinguish between

clean items and garbage. For example, an untrained dog who just found a discarded needle

examines it by licking or putting it in its mouth, trying to judge what the unusual object is.

Children, on the other hand, are more prone to getting in contact with used drug equipment than

adults because they use the public parks and streets for their recreational activities a lot, and are

not fully aware of drug equipment; hence, they start playing with the used syringes or needles,

thinking that it’s a piece of toy. In the article, “Needles in sandboxes,” Amy Graff states,

“Children like to make cakes, build castles and push around trucks in the lovely sand areas at city

parks. What if a needle were in that sandbox and a tiny hand unknowingly grabbed it?” It is

necessary for the public to be protected from getting exposed to such harmful equipment, in

order to reduce the spread of diseases; however, separate needle disposal services are ineffective

because narcotic users will not walk a few miles just to dispose of their needles, for their senses

deteriorate after consuming drugs; hence, deployment of supervised injection sites is an efficient

way to tackle the drug litter issue. They provide needle disposal services inside the building,

ensuring that the drug user doesn’t carry the used equipment outside the facility and discard it in

public; thus, safeguarding the people from getting needle stick injuries. Alex H.Kral and Peter

J.Davidson, in the article, “Addressing the Nation’s Opioid Epidemic,” report, “The proportion

(67%) reporting recent unsafe disposal of used equipment is very high. In contrast, all syringes

from injections at the supervised injection site were safely disposed, representing an estimated
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1,725 (67% of 2,574) episodes of averted public disposal of injection equipment.” The strategy

of reducing drug use in public leads to a decrease in drug litter. Along with reducing drug trash,

supervised injection sites are also responsible for wiping out unsafe drug practices. Basically, the

initial stages of the process through which the drugs are consumed by addicts are severely

unhygienic due to poverty and lack of supervision; they implement cheap and fast, yet

dangerous, methods for consuming drugs. For example, one of the hazardous techniques include

licking the needles which is implemented by IDUs (injection drug users) in order to utilize their

opiate to the maximum extent; it is also done for cleaning the needle and checking the quality of

the drug. This particular habit gives rise to oral infections. Another hazardous practice is sharing

of needles, pipes, and cookers; drug addicts who are unable to afford fresh needles and syringes

share them with their fellow drug users which increases the risk of transmitting fatal diseases

between the two users. It basically exposes both the users of the needle with infected blood

which leads to the development of HIV. According to The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, “It is estimated that in 2013, 3,096 of the estimated 47,352 diagnoses of HIV

infection in the United States were attributed to IDU. Among persons who inject drugs (PWID),

HCV is approximately 10-fold more transmissible than HIV; 50-90% of HIV-infected PWID are

co-infected with HCV.” Also, crack users develop respiratory diseases for using cheap plastic

pipes. The pipes are also shared across multiple crack users which increases the risk of

developing Hepatitis C; furthermore, infected cookers are also shared among drug users. They

are found using contaminated water from the puddles to clean their needles or to prepare their

drugs; moreover, poverty drives them to obtain needles from the garbage cans. Such dangerous

practices are prevented through safe injection sites; they allow drug addicts to use opiates under

the supervision of health professionals, in a wholesome environment. Drug users in a supervised

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injection site are provided with a large room that consists of several sterile stainless steel booths.

A supervisor is assigned at every compartment, for they need to ensure whether the client is

using proper methods for consuming drugs or not; hence, eliminating unsafe drug practices

which, in turn, prevents the spread of diseases. Drug users are also provided with clean drug

equipment, such as sterilized needles, alcohol wipes, crack pipes, and lip balms, which prevents

them from sharing the same equipment with their fellow drug users, or finding it from the

garbage cans. They just have to bring their drug to the safe injection site and the rest of the

essentials are provided by the facility. After consuming drugs, they are treated for any skin

infections or needle injury that has occurred, ensuring that they do not carry infections outside

the facility. In the article, “Supervised Drug-Injection Sites Are Spreading in Canada, which is

good,” author, Jesse Singal states, “This idea is part of the broader philosophy of harm reduction,

which is geared at, in a sense, accepting the imperfect and frequently messed-up world we have

and trying to figure out how to make things a bit healthier and safer and happier. Some segment

of the population is going to be injecting drugs: Do you want them doing it in a safe, clinical

setting, or in a park?” Through secured checking, strict supervision, and a hygienic environment,

drug injection sites prevent drug users from unintentionally harming the rest of the public with

their unsafe practices. Drug injection facilities, basically, drive the drug users from streets,

alleys, backyards, parks, and all other public places, into a germ-free environment; hence, hiding

them and their unsafe practices from the public eye. They protect the health of not only the drug

user, but, most importantly, the rest of the people. Their rapid expansion is able to shield an

entire population from transmitted diseases and needle stick injuries.

Drug injection sites provide drug users with a forum of exchanging ideas which

eliminates isolation and leads to their social acceptance in the society by allowing them to
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discuss their issues with the people present inside the safe consumption site. It also promotes

detoxification. Normally, people are reluctant in interacting with drug users because they are

scared that the drug addict will lose their control and assault anyone trying to interact with them.

The reason being that the consumption of drugs interfere with the user’s brain activity. Also,

after knowing that a person has turned towards drugs, many people who initially know the drug

user, cut ties with them. This communication gap traps narcotic users in a cycle of isolation

which worsens their condition, making them use more of their drug; narcotics like cocaine,

ecstasy, and many others, facilitate the rush of pleasure-associated neurotransmitter (chemical

messengers used by the brain for communication) known as dopamine, which enables them to

feel better by allowing them to come out of the isolation trap, temporarily. Drug addicts also

carry a harsh story on their shoulders and that story is the reason for them to turn towards drugs;

they have a violent and upset past; thus, it’s important to provide them with a few people to talk

to, for the sake of discussion. I remember walking down the streets of downtown San Francisco,

during my Spring Break 2018, where I was randomly stopped by a homeless person who also

was a drug user. Without even greeting me, he started weeping and described his past when he

was repeatedly assaulted by his parents which made him leave the house; the abuse, according to

him, was the beginning of a new relation between him and the opiates. He further complained

that instead of making him feel better, no one listens to him because he uses drugs, which is why

he was forced to stop me so that he could express his thoughts and ease the burden of the harsh

past. This particular interaction with the drug user enlightened me about the impact and benefits

carried by counselling. It basically allows them to gain some attention in the society, whilst

making them feel that they’re also part of the community. This impact on drug users is possible

through the welcoming environment provided by safe injection sites. They provide an affable
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habitat where drug users are able to put forward their concerns and ideas in front of the medical

professional which helps the latter understand the drug user’s condition in a better way.

Exchange of information between health experts and drug users is also beneficial for research

and study purposes; the health workers gather useful data from the drug user which allows them

to work more efficiently towards drug addicts, by monitoring their habits and body language.

Through analyzing drug addicts’ data, they are able to gauge the former’s behavior patterns and

forward the information to governmental agencies who are also able to tackle drug addicts in an

agile manner. Medical professionals are also able to gather data regarding the success rate of safe

injection, difference in crime rates, and number of over-dosage events. Safe injection facilities

are attended by lots of people carrying a common habit i.e. drug addiction. After they consume

their drug, they’re taken to a lounge or a “chill-out” area where they are allowed to relax. When

they are concentrated under a single shelter, they start interacting with each other which helps

them build friendships; hence, eliminating isolation and providing them with moral support.

They start feeling loved at the time when people hate and abuse them for their addiction.

Besides, drug addicts understand each other in a better way, for they’re going through the same

condition. Friendships unite and enable them to exchange their stories, while putting forward

their point of view. Their story also inspires many other drug addicts which makes them feel

better and move forward with their life. Safe injection facilities also allow drug users to express

their emotions openly in a stress-free environment without a fear of getting harassed or

mistreated by putting a “buffer between them and the world – this gives them the opportunity to

focus exclusively on getting better” (“What are the Benefits?”). Detailed discussions and healthy

relations with medical professionals and fellow drug users, help drug addicts in understanding

their condition in a better way; hence, paving a path for recovery and detoxification. They’re
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able to get educated about their addiction and learn about the future complications they will

suffer due to the continued use of opiates; for example, A drug addict is able to take

rehabilitation treatments into consideration after knowing about the number of people who die

from drugs every year, through the information provided by the health professional present at the

safe injection site. Health counsellors also provide addicts with alternate methods of overcoming

stress, such as meditation, yoga, and exercise, which contributes in pulling the latter away from

drugs; thus, supervised injection sites cause an “increased uptake into addiction treatment,

especially among people who distrust the treatment system and are unlikely to seek treatment on

their own” (“Supervised Injection Facilities”). Medical professionals in safe injection sites also

refer their clients to drug treatment which allows drug users to use detoxification and recovery

services; hence, through referrals, safe injection sites contribute in reducing the number of

people using drugs. According to a research report by Evan Wood and his colleagues, the

opening of a safe injection facility in Vancouver lead to a 30% increase in the rate of

detoxification services use as compared to the time before the opening of the site; hence, proving

that supervised injection facilities are indeed associated with an increase of detoxification

services and rehabilitation, and that they do not promote drug use (Evan Wood, e tal). Although

they are primarily based on harm-reduction model, meaning that their basic objective is to reduce

the harm caused by drugs and not to eradicate the drug use; however, through counselling and

referrals, these sites help in curbing a drug user’s addiction. The communication-friendly

atmosphere of drug consumption sites improves a drug user’s life by not only providing them

with safe place to consume their drug, but also a secured area where they are allowed to relax

and think about themselves, deeply; an environment surrounded by friendly professionals who

are ready to help them in numerous ways. The injection sites carry a common message that
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violence, harassment, and arrests are not an efficient way of tackling the drug issue; the harm

caused by drug addiction, a public health crisis, is adequately reduced through affection, care,

discussion, and supervision.

Safe injection sites reduce criminal activities by lessening drug use in public use and

pushing drug users into a controlled environment. Crime and drugs are the two things that go in-

parallel; the crimes associated with drugs occur for two reasons. First, there are the crimes that

are caused due to the effects of drugs. Different types of opiates cause different effects on the

drug users; for example, cocaine increases irritability, alertness, and wakefulness while giving

mild feeling of euphoria. These effects lead to an aggressive behavior, making the drug user

extremely dangerous for the rest of the public. It basically makes them feel on top of the world;

hence, allowing them to commit crimes, smoothly. Heroine, on the other hand, impairs one’s

thinking and visuals; the user’s balance gets impaired, their attention deteriorates, and they start

feeling drowsy; the aftermath of heroine allows other people to harm drug users through their

nefarious designs. The after effects of drugs, together, drive addicts into building ill-considered

decisions; hence, making it dangerous for them to take part in public activities after consumption

of a dangerous drug, for they are basically not sure what they’re doing. Drug users who do not

attend safe injection sites consume drugs in public which means that they are not under

supervision; hence, enabling them to take part in illegal activities such as, driving under

influence, domestic violence, murder, etc., which is a major concern for the society. According

to The American Addiction Centers, “more than 75 percent of people who begin treatment for

drug addiction report having performed various acts of violence, including (but not limited to)

mugging, physical assault, and using a weapon to attack another person.” Safe injection sites

reduce the public nuisance caused by drugs through shifting drug users into a regulated
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environment where they are continuously supervised; after using up their drug, they are

instructed to sit in a separate lounge to relax, in order to limit their “time spent on the streets and

in public view while under the influence of drugs” (Macdonald). They are also provided with

snacks, clothes, and are even allowed to take shower; medical professionals monitor drug users

after the consumption of drug to report any after-effects, including behavioral changes. By

gathering drug users in a safe environment, drug consumption sites not only protect the other

people from getting victimized by drug-related violence, but also the drug users from getting

victimized by thieves; the latter steal drugs and other medical equipment from addicts, since they

are expensive. Supervised injection sites enable their clients to consume drugs without any

tension or stress of getting mugged; thus, the strategy of concentrating drug addicts under a

single shelter dramatically reduces crime rates. According to a study conducted by Evan Wood

and his colleagues, there has been a decline in vehicle break-ins in Vancouver, after the

establishment of supervised injection site. The mean difference of the charges associated with

vehicle break-ins, between the Pre-SIF era and Post-SIF era, is 75.5, with approximately 302

vehicle break-ins occurring during Pre-SIF era, while 227 of them occurring during the Post-SIF

era; hence, depicting a significant decline in the rates of vehicle break-ins (Evan Wood, et al).

The second type of drug-related crime occurs for obtaining the drug supplies. Many drug users

are poor and are unable to purchase sterilized needles, syringes, cookers, and other equipment;

hence, they acquire illegal ways for obtaining their essentials; “Addicts in Baltimore took

recycling to a whole new level by cutting down city light posts, then selling them for scrap metal

in neighboring towns. In just a few weeks, 130 poles vanished, each one weighing about 250

pounds. Police and local residents are left wondering how someone manages to snatch these

huge fixtures, many from affluent neighborhoods” (“Drug Habits”). Also, at many parties and
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other get together events, narcotic users wait for people to leave their valuables unattended;

allowing them to steal the valuables and sell them to use that money in purchasing their supplies.

Many drug addicts also rob pharmacies to obtain fresh needles and syringes; however,

supervised injection sites already provide drug users with enough supplies such as, first aid kit,

sterilized needles, syringes, etc., which doesn’t give a reason to an addict for turning towards

illegal activities. Through governing the effects of drugs on the client and congregating them in a

regulated entourage, drug injection sites contribute in lowering the crime rate, and ensuring the

safety of citizens.

Supervised injection sites allow the government to save money by preventing the spread

of diseases and reducing over-dosage events; hence diminishing over-reliance of drug users on

emergency services and health department. Drug addicts carry numerous problems for the city

they’re in; they’re a big responsibility, for their addiction needs great medical assistance.

Because they use drugs, their mental and physical capabilities are not constantly stable; hence,

they require strict supervision and constant aid, which is possible through drug injection sites.

Narcotic users who use drugs in public are not supervised at any level; they’re left out on their

own. Now, since they’re not medical professionals themselves, they don’t have an idea about the

limits of drug consumption, or the proper methods; hence, giving rise to unsafe drug use. These

practices spread diseases like HIV and Hepatitis, and their treatment is pricey; for example, the

lifetime cost for treatment of HIV is $379,668 (“Access to clean syringes”). Also, IDUs who do

not attend safe injection sites, have untreated open wounds which leads to soft tissue infection,

due to careless drug use; hence, they undergo complex skin treatments, such as plastic surgery.

They also go through amputations if the infection spreads throughout their body. Providing

intensive care to a great number of addict, at once, for such complexities, puts a huge burden on
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a city’s health care department, which has a limited budget and equipment; however, safe

injection sites ease the burden caused by health crisis through providing drug users with proper

sterilized needles, dis-infected rooms, and supervisors. Supervisors ensure that their clients are

using proper methods for consuming drugs. The healthful environment provided by safe

injection sites reduces the spread of HIV and Hepatitis, which enables the government to save

money; “for San Francisco, the numbers came out to three HIV and 19 hepatitis C infections

prevented each year, about one overdose death prevented every four years, and an additional 110

people ushered into treatment. A San Franciscan facility would cost $2.6 million a year to run

and bring $6.1 million annually in health benefits” (Diep). Another issue which costs the

government tons of money is the over reliance of drug users on emergency services, caused by

over doses. The image on

the left shows a graph,

displaying the number of

deaths caused by over-

dosage of drugs over the

period of 17 years, in

America. According to the

graph, more than 64,000

deaths in 2016 resulted

(Deaths caused by overdoses from: “Overdose Death Rates.” NIH, NHCS).

from drug overdoses.

Drug addicts who consume opiates in public are in a constant fear of getting caught by the cops,

or being embarrassed by the public; thus, they expend their drugs in a hurry, without gauging the

amount that needs to be consumed. This carelessness causes over-dosage which is a medical
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emergency in its own. Emergency and other medical services are called at the time of over-

dosage; they rush the patient to the hospital and provide them with sophisticated medical

treatment to prevent them from dying. In case they are late; the drug addicts end up dying. The

over-reliance on primary health and emergency services costs the health department and the

government a lot of money and it keeps on piling up because there are many over-dosage events

occurring in a city every day due to unsupervised drug use. The cost of transportation, hospital

rooms, food, drinks, treatment, and many other factors, contribute to an increased cost; the

annual financial effect from the abuse of drugs or liquor alone is $442 billion (Nesbit).

Deployment of safe injection sites reduces the number of drug over-dosage events because health

professionals in the facility steadily monitor the drug users and treat them right away in-case of

over-dosage, by giving them an overdose reversing drug, such as naloxone. Medical Health

Officer at Vancouver Coastal Health, Dr. Mark Lysyshyn states, “Well, I mean, what it's

enabling is people to stay alive. And so you can't access treatment, or you can't go into recovery

if you're not alive anymore. So it allows people to stay alive and get to a place in their life where

they can contemplate treatment. Not everybody does that, but some people do” (Navarro, et al).

Through providing instant treatment to drug addicts as a response to over-dosage; drug injection

sites eliminate the former’s dependence on emergency care, whilst easing the burden from the

health care department. Also, they reduce the number of deaths caused by over-doses; hence, the

“harm-reduction model.” Drug injection sites are a valuable investment; they provide multiple

amenities, whilst allowing a particular group of health professionals to focus on drug addicts

only; hence, enabling the other medical institutions to focus on the rest of the population. Also,

they continuously generate net savings; the reduction in medical expenses and increase in

savings, enable the government to focus on other issues. For example, they are able to invest the
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money in education, jobs, defense programs, and relocating homeless. They also do not have to

worry about drug addicts roaming around in the cities doing illegal activities, or getting medical

treatments.

Drug injection sites are a good way to monitor and control drug use since they prevent

the spread of diseases by providing drug users with sanitary rooms and sterilized equipment.

They also provide clients with a forum of exchanging opinions through a hospitable

environment, which improves their life. These sites reduce the criminal activities by driving drug

users from public spaces, into a controlled environment; furthermore, they allow the government

to save money by reducing over-dosage events.

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Works Cited

“Access to clean Syringes.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of

Health & Human Services, 5 August 2016,

https://www.cdc.gov/policy/hst/hi5/cleansyringes/index.html. Accessed 10 March 2018.

In the article, “Access to clean Syringes,” the Center for Disease Control and Prevention

explains the consequences not using clean needles. They provide statistics on drug users

who have been infected with HIV, HBC, and HCV, because of not using sterilized

needles. I chose this article because it’s from a federal agency associated with US

Department of Health & Human Services, which increases the legitimacy of the

information provided.

Boorman, Georgi. “Why Safe Injection Sites for Drug Addicts Should Be Legal.” The

Federalist, FDRLST Media, 16 February 2017, http://thefederalist.com/2017/02/16/why-

safe-injection-sites-for-drug-addicts-should-be-legal/. Accessed 10 March 2018.

In the article, “Why Safe Injection Sites for Drug Addicts Should Be Legal,” Georgi

Boorman explains the benefits of legalizing supervised injection sites. She describes the

benefits and disadvantages of legalizing safe injection sites. The author urges the

government to use new methods in order to overcome the opiate crisis. I chose this article

because the author explains every information in detail while providing both the sides of

the argument.
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Cohen, Ronnie. “Supervised injection site for addicts could save San Francisco money, lives.”

Gale, Reuters Health Medical News, 2 January 2017,

http://go.galegroup.com.libproxy.csun.edu/ps/i.do?&id=GALE|A476092606&v=2.1&u=

csunorthridge&it=r&p=ITOF&sw=w&authCount=1. Accessed 10 March 2018.

In the article, “Supervised injection site for addicts could save San Francisco money,

lives,” author Ronnie Cohen explains the ways safe injection sites help Sanfrancisco in

saving money and lives. The author believes that safe injection sites help curb diseases by

providing drug users with clean environment and sterilized needles. I chose the article

because the writer has taken several interviews from experts, such as an epidemiologist

and an analyst who provide different opinions and statistics, related to the topic.

Diep, France. “How Supervised Injection Sites Can Save Money.” Pacific Standard, The Social

Justice Foundation, 6 June 2017, https://psmag.com/economics/how-supervised-

injection-sites-can-help-users-and-cities.

In the article, “How Supervised Injection Sites Can Save Money,” author, Frane Diep

emphasizes on the financial and health benefits carried by drug injection sites for a city.

The author discusses about the reliance of drug users on emergency rooms and hospital

treatments which cost a lot of money; hence, she brings up supervised injection sites as a

solution. I chose the article since the author herself specializes in health and drug. She

also provides deep analysis through interviews and statistics.

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Graff, Amy. “Needles in sandboxes? Parents upset over drug litter at S.F.’s schools and parks.”

SF Gate, Hearst Communications, 30 July 2015,

https://blog.sfgate.com/sfmoms/2015/07/30/needles-in-sandboxes-parents-upset-over-

drug-litter-at-s-f-s-schools-and-parks/. Accessed 11 March 2018.

In the article, “Needles in sandboxes,” author, Amy Graff explains the consequences of

discarding used needles on streets and other public places. She provides parents’ opinion

on the issue of drug litter in San Francisco and also provides readers with her own

experience. The author also sheds light on the consequences faced by children, due to

discarded needles. I chose this article since the author has provided several opinions of

different people, on this matter. She has interviewed parents, and different experts who

raise concerns of drug litter in San Francisco.

Kral, Alex H., and Peter J. Davidson. “Addressing the Nation’s Opioid Epidemic: Lessons from

an Unsanctioned Supervised Injection Site in the U.S.” AJPM American Journal of

Preventive Medicine, Elsevier, 8 August 2017, http://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-

3797(17)30316-1/fulltext. Accessed 10 March 2018.

In the article, “Addressing the Nation’s Opioid Epidemic,” authors Alex H. Kral and

Peter J. Davidson describe the benefits of supervised injection sites, which they also refer

to as safer injection facilities or safer consumption services. They believe that these sites

reduce overdoses, drug related violence, and improve health. The authors use statistics to

support their argument. I chose this article since the writers describe the process that goes

inside a supervised injection site. Also, they provide statistics that are deeply categorized;

hence, giving me a clear picture of the topic.

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Macdonald, Aidan. “Insite or Outside the Law: Examining the place of safe injection sites within

the Canadian legal system.” Onati Socio-Legal Series, Oñati International Institute for the

Sociology of Law, 2011,

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228187322_Insite_or_Outside_the_Law_Exami

ning_the_Place_of_Safe_Injection_Sites_within_the_Canadian_Legal_System/fulltext/00

0028f40cf270e24c877e0f/228187322. Accessed 10 March 2018.

In the article, “Insite or Outside the Law,” author, Aidan Macdonald describes the causes

and effects of safe injection sites. He provides readers with an example of Insite, the first

safe injection site in North America. The author believes that the government has failed

in fulfilling the social values of the Insite community. I chose this article since it’s a very

detailed and long paper which consists of interviews with workers and clients of Insite,

and a deep analysis supported by statistics.

Navarro, Lulu, et al. “Philadelphia Plans Supervised Drug Injection Sites.” NPR, Verb8tm, 28

January 2018, https://www.npr.org/2018/01/28/581397082/philadelphia-plans-

supervised-drug-injection-sites. Accessed 10 March 2018.

In the NPR Transcript, “Philadelphia Plans Supervised Drug Injection Sites,” Lulu

Garcia-Navarro, Thomas Farley, and Mark Lysyshyn discuss the issue regarding the

implementation of safe injection sites, which Navarro refers to as a controversial move.

They discuss the benefits, consequences, and the obstacles, which a safe injection site is

facing. I chose this article since the host has taken interview of experts; Philadelphia’s

Health Commissioner, and a Vancouver Doctor. The transcript provides me with

numerous facts and different opinions.

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Nesbit, Jeff. “The Staggering Costs, Monetary and Otherwise, of Substance Abuse.” US News,

US News & World Report L.P., 19 December 2016, https://www.usnews.com/news/at-

the-edge/articles/2016-12-19/drug-and-alcohol-abuse-cost-taxpayers-442b-annually-new-

surgeon-generals-report-finds. Accessed 10 March 2018.

In the article, “The Staggering Costs, Monetary and Otherwise, of Substance Abuse,”

author, Jeff Nesbit describes the issues related to substance abuse. He believes that it’s

destroying a lot of families. He believes that treatment for substance abuse should be

broadened. I chose this article since the writer deeply emphasizes on government’s role

regarding substance abuse and analyzes its impact on the economy which helps me create

a relation between economy and drug abuse.

“Overdose Death Rates.” NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse Advancing Addiction Science,

National Center for Health Statistics, September 2017,

https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates.

Accessed 10 March 2018.

In the article, “Overdose Death Rates,” the National Institute of Health provides readers

with deaths caused by overdoses involving opioid drugs, non-opioid analgesics, heroine,

and few others. According to their study, the number of deaths caused by overdoses have

significantly increases with more than 64,000 deaths occurring in 2016. I chose the article

since NIH has provided with several graphs displaying the number of deaths. They’ve

also categorized the deaths based on different drugs which gives me a clear

understanding of which drug is more responsible for causing deaths.

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“Relationship between Drug Addiction, Alcoholism, and Violence.” American Addiction

Centers, 2018, https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/addiction-and-violence/.

Accessed 10 March 2018.

In the article, “Relationship between Drug Addiction, Alcoholism, and Violence,”

American Addition Centers explains the relationship between substance abuse and

violence. They also believe that drug and crime go hand in hand and also explain the

consequences of driving while impaired. I chose this article since the American

Addiction Centers has deeply analyzed the topic and have provided numerous visual

arguments and interesting facts which further enlightens me about drug induced violence.

“7 Crazy Ways Addicts Fund Their Drug Habits.” Drugabuse.com, Sober Media Group, 14 July

2016, https://drugabuse.com/7-crazy-ways-addicts-fund-their-drug-habits/. Accessed 12

March 2018.

In the article, “7 Crazy Ways Addicts Fund Their Drug Habits,” DrugAbuse.com,

explains different ways implemented by drug users for making money, in order to

purchase their drugs and other drug-related supplies. The author explains both, the legal

and illegal ways applied by drug addicts. I chose this article due to the uniqueness of the

topic discussed by the organization. Also, the website categorizes the methods

implemented which gives me a clear understanding of the argument.

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Singal, Jesse. “Supervised Drug-Injection Sites Are Spreading in Canada, Which is good.”

General OneFile, Science of Us, 16 May 2017,

http://go.galegroup.com.libproxy.csun.edu/ps/i.do?&id=GALE|A491797618&v=2.1&u=

csunorthridge&it=r&p=ITOF&sw=w&authCount=1. Accessed 11 March 2018.

In the article, “Supervised Drug-Injection Sites Are Spreading in Canada,” author, Jesse

Singal informs readers about the implementation of safe injection facilities in Canada.

The author refers this motive as a positive one and believes that these sites improve

public health. I chose the article because the author broadly explains the benefits of safe

injection sites which gives me a clear understanding of why these sites should be

implemented.

“What are the benefits of inpatient Drug Rehab?” New Beginnings Drug & Alcohol

Rehabilitation, New Beginnings, 2018,

http://www.newbeginningsdrugrehab.org/inpatient-drug-rehab/. Accessed 10 March

2018.

In the article, “What are the benefits of inpatient Drug Rehab,” New Beginnings, a drug

educational organization, explains the physical, psychological, and emotional which a

drug rehabilitation program carries for a drug addict. According to them, there are two

types of treatments, inpatient and outpatient treatment. I chose the article because they

have provided a profound explanation along with several suggestions and interesting

facts; hence, providing me with a clear understanding of the benefits of drug rehab

programs.
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Wood, Evan, et al. “Rate of detoxification service use and its impact among a cohort of

supervised injecting facility users.” Insight for Community Safety, Society for the Study

of Addiction, 21 September 2006,

http://www.communityinsite.ca/Wood_ADDICTION_TREATMENT.pdf. Accessed 13

March 2018.

In the article, “Rate of detoxification service use,” Evan Wood, and et al., inform the

readers about a recently opened safe injection facility in Vancouver, Canada. According

to them, critics urge that this facility does not help in reducing drug use; however, to

prove the critics wrong, the authors describe a study they conducted which shows an

increase in the use of detoxification services after the opening of the facility in

Vancouver. I chose the article since the authors have supported their argument using a

broad study conducted by them. Also they’ve provided an opposing argument.

Wood, Evan, et al. “Impact of a medically supervised safer injecting facility on drug dealing and

other drug-related crime.” BMC, Springer Nature, 8 May 2006,

https://substanceabusepolicy.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1747-597X-1-13.

Accessed 10 March 2018.

In the article, “Impact of a medically supervised safer injecting facility,” author Evan

Wood, and et al., explain the effects of a supervised injection site in Vancouver, Canada,

on crime rates. According to the authors, there has been a decline in vehicle break-ins

after the construction of the site. I chose the article since the writers have conducted a

detailed study. They’ve also provided visual graphs, along with statistics and values,

which helps me understand the relation between crime and supervised injection sites, in a

better way.
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