California wants to open more public drug consumption sites

A bill known as SB 57, which will create public drug consumption facilities, has been passed. The drug wards will be paid for by taxpayers in Oakland, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Following approval by the state Senate, the proposal is pending signature by Governor Gavin Newsom.

The measure is being proposed by Democratic State Senator Scott Wiener. The Democratic legislator assures that it has been proven that drug consumption rooms lead to a reduction in overdose deaths.

According to the text of the bill, "this bill, until January 1, 2028, would authorize the city and county of San Francisco, the county of Los Angeles, the city of Los Angeles, and the city of Oakland to approve entities to implement overdose prevention programs." These public buildings must have certain requirements, such as"providing a hygienic space supervised by trained staff where people can consume pre-obtained drugs, deliver sterile consumption supplies, and provide access or referrals for substance use disorder treatment."

Republicans reject the bill

California Senate Republican leader Scott Wilk, of Santa Clarita, as well as all members of the Senate RepublicanCaucus, called on Governor Newsom to veto the bill, according to the media outlet Ivpressonline.

"Instead of focusing on a strategy to help people get their lives back on track, get off drugs and get treatment, California Democrats are focused on giving people free needles and a safe place to inject," Wilk said.

For Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Brian Jones, "allowing people to get higher than a kite on heroin and other dangerous drugs, and then releasing them onto the streets is simply insane." "This dangerous measure endangers neighborhoods, communities and businesses," Jones said.

The Tenderloin Linkage Center: a failed attempt

Last year saw the opening of the Tenderloin Linkage Center in San Francisco, a project similar to the centers that are intended to be established under SB 57. Its start-up was hailed by San Francisco Mayor London Breed and cost $19 million in taxpayer money. However, the center will be closed at the end of the year because it has become a nest of drug addicts and a place frequented by drug dealers.

Although the space was inaugurated under the premise of "overdose prevention site" or "safe consumption site", with the slogan of helping with treatment and elimination of addictions, only one out of every 100 addicts sought help, according to publications in various media.

San Francisco is one of the cities hardest hit by drugs and crime, a situation that influenced the citizens' decision this year to remove progressive prosecutor Chesa Boudin from office for her negligent approach to the problems plaguing the metropolis.

In 2021, the city declared a state of emergency due to the epidemic of drug use, especially opiates. In San Francisco almost 8,000 people live on the streets, a reality that makes the population with a penchant for drug use and homelessness more vulnerable. A study published by Up for Growth revealed that California has the highest housing deficit in the United States. The state requires the construction of 980,000 properties to solve the problem.