Calif. Could Experiment with Safe Injection Sites

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — A bill that would allow San Francisco to operate so-called safe injection sites for drug users is likely to be signed by Governor Jerry Brown, following approval by state lawmakers.

The measure was written last year by Stockton Assemblywoman Susan Eggman, but it’s been amended to apply specifically to San Francisco, who would operate a 3-year pilot program.

Speaking to KMJ’s sister station KGO, co-sponsor, Senator Scott Weiner said, “There’s a very high success rate of getting people, eventually, into services, into recovery, and healthcare. Crime goes down in the surrounding neighborhoods. infections go down, and overdose deaths go down. There’s never been an overdose death, worldwide, in any of these centers, so they’re highly successful.”