Seattle’s potential solution for heroin epidemic: Places for legal drug use

Similar facilities have operated for at least a decade in Australia, the Netherlands and Canada
The New York Times (US)
Thursday, August 25, 2016

heroin_syringeA task force established to combat a heroin epidemic in the Seattle metropolitan area has endorsed a strategy of establishing places where addicts would be allowed to take drugs without fear of being arrested. At these sites, called safe consumption facilities, addicts would receive clean needles and syringes and would be permitted to inject heroin, smoke crack cocaine and take other addictive drugs under the supervision of trained authorities. (See also: Seattle could open housing for homeless where it’s OK to use heroin)