Episode 7: A Safe Place to Use Heroin

    "In all my years as a physician I have never met an addicted person who wanted to be an addict" - Dr. Noro Volkow NIDA Director According to Harm Reduction Coalition, more than 28,000 are lost to heroin and other opioid over doses every year. The United States has been in a battle against drugs dating back to the 1960's. Today, the country is facing an Opioid Epidemic that continues to run rampant with no signs of stopping. In 12 countries efforts have been made to change the management of addiction by opening and running what is known as safe injection facilities, where individuals are able to safely use drugs under the supervision of medical personnel. Rory Fleming , a man who works on prosecutor campaigns across the country through Foglight Strategies and a long running reform advocate with interest in drug policy. He joins First Do No Harm to discuss the political aspect, funding, and the many other pros and cons of opening the first recognized safe injection facility in the United States. Additional information can be found on such facilities at: https://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-rendell-safe-injection-breakout-20190207-story.html https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html If you are interested in finding where you can purchase Narcan, a drug used when suspect overdose occurs, more information can be found: https://www.narcan.com/patients/how-to-get-narcan/ Foglight Strategies helps large law enforcement agencies, political candidates, and nonprofits transition our broken criminal justice system into one that deserves the public’s trust using skillful communications and community relations strategies.  More information can be found at https://www.foglightstrategies.org/