Lawmakers in Colorado, New Mexico and New York have approved bills to authorize safe consumption sites where people can use currently illicit drugs in a medically supervised setting and receive substance misuse treatment resources.
As policymakers across the country grapple with an overdose crisis, three more states are seeking to prioritize harm reduction, with legislation to establish safe consumption facilities advancing out of the Colorado House, New York Assembly Health Committee and two panels of the New Mexico House. The latter bills now head to the floor of their respective chambers for consideration, while Colorado’s measure goes to the Senate.
Colorado
Earlier this month, the Colorado House approved a bill from Rep. Elisabeth Epps (D) that would permit cities throughout the state to authorize the establishment of overdose prevention centers.
The “Local Control of Life-saving Overdose Prevention Centers Act” would provide people with access to sterile consumption equipment, fentanyl testing tools, counseling, substance use treatment referrals and “other harm reduction services,” the bill text says.
It was amended to make it so municipalities would have to hold a public hearing before permitting the establishment of the safe consumption sites. It then passed the full House in a 43-21 vote last week.
“Preventable
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