Pennsylvania legislators are considering a dangerous bill that would severely hamper our ability to combat the opioid crisis throughout the Commonwealth.
Senate Bill 165 seeks to criminalize overdose prevention centers, which are facilities where trained professionals provide lifesaving services to people who are struggling with substance use disorder. Overdose prevention centers provide access to clean needles, medically trained personnel, and other resources that can prevent overdose deaths. Overdose prevention centers also offer support, counseling, and referrals to treatment services, helping people on their path to health and recovery. These centers are proven to save lives by reducing the number of overdose deaths and providing a bridge to long-term care and treatment.
Overdose prevention centers are crucial spaces for harm reduction; they exist solely to reduce illness and loss of life through the provision of compassionate care to people who use drugs. These centers are not about enabling drug use; rather, they are about preventing senseless deaths and facilitating connections to vital health services. Overdose prevention centers have been implemented successfully in other states and countries, and they have proven to be effective in reducing overdose deaths, preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and saving taxpayer money by reducing emergency room visits and hospitalizations related to overdose.
SB 165 is a regressive, anti-science piece of legislation that will continue our failed policies toward harm reduction and opioid addiction. Call your State Senator and State Representative today and urge them to vote NO on SB 165.
