Vermont governor vetoes safe injection sites for drug users

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Gov. Phil Scott has vetoed a invoice aimed partly at creating a number of secure injection websites, additionally referred to as overdose prevention websites, in Vermont the place individuals might legally use medicine below supervision as a technique to cut back overdoses.

Scott, a Republican, wrote in his veto message to lawmakers on Tuesday that “it appears counterintuitive to divert sources from confirmed hurt discount methods to plan injection websites with out clear information on the effectiveness of this strategy.” He wrote that the little information that exists “is for websites positioned in massive cities, so it’s not relevant to the overwhelming majority of Vermont.”

Such websites are geared up and staffed to reverse overdoses.

The invoice famous that there was a speedy enhance in overdose deaths throughout Vermont, with a document variety of opioid-related deaths final yr. It will have arrange a committee to look at the feasibility and legal responsibility of such websites and to give you a plan to implement a number of in Vermont.

Scott wrote in his veto letter that earlier than the pandemic the state was making progress treating opioid dependancy with its “groundbreaking” hub-and-spoke therapy system, comprised of regional therapy facilities and clinicians who deal with opioid use issues in their very own practices, in addition to medically assisted therapy for inmates. Different methods embody syringe applications, distribution of the opioid overdose antidote Narcan, fentanyl take a look at strips and group schooling, he wrote.

“These are confirmed, evidence-based approaches to saving lives however we should additionally proceed to deal with stopping dependancy within the first place and supporting individuals by way of therapy and restoration,” Scott wrote.