Safe Injection Sites
Also known as supervised consumption services or overdose prevention centers, safe injection sites are dedicated spaces where individuals can use substances under the supervision of trained medical staff.
Trained staff will intervene if someone who is using substances begins to show signs of an overdose. They may provide naloxone, CPR, and other life-saving measures, as needed.
How Do Safe Injection Sites Work?
At most safe injection sites, people who use drugs are able to:
- Get sterile supplies to consume drugs.
- Test their drug supply for fentanyl and other adulterants such as xylazine.
- An adulterant is a substance that is added to the supply without the consumer’s knowledge. The illicit drug supply is often unpredictable and can change rapidly; testing each dose helps to reduce risk of overdose or injury caused by a drug.
- Speak to harm reduction specialists about safer use.
- Get connected to treatment and other health care and social services.
Safe Injection Sites in the US and Connecticut
Safe injection sites are currently legal and available in some countries including Canada. They are not federally legal in the United States and are not available in the state of Connecticut.
Rhode Island was the first state in the country to authorize supervised consumption services in July of 2021. New York City followed by opening two safe injection sites in late 2021.
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