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October 11, 2018
An effort to install the first U.S. safe injection sites for illegal opioid use here in San Francisco hit a major roadblock with Gov. Jerry Brown’s veto of legislation for a three-year pilot program in the city.
“Fundamentally, I do not believe that enabling illegal drug use in government sponsored injection centers – with no corresponding requirement that the user undergo treatment – will reduce drug addiction,” Brown wrote in his Sept. 30 veto message, saying the solution to drug addiction is a comprehensive and expanded “system of care for the addicted.”
”The community must have the authority and the laws to require compassionate but effective and mandatory treatment. AB 186 is all carrot and no stick,” Brown said.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed, a strong advocate of safe injection sites whose sister died of an overdose, resolved in a statement “to continue to work with our community partners on trying to come up with a solution to move this effort forward.” The safe injection sites are one proposed response to a national epidemic of fentanyl and heroin overdose deaths.
The Archdiocese of San Francisco last month published a statement in opposition to the sites, stating “while acknowledging that support for safe injection sites stems from a desire to help those in need, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone nevertheless firmly opposes the safe injection sites. They set a negative example for children and young people, even as they continue to tear apart the social fabric that should promote healthy habits among the young.”
“Thank you Gov. Brown for a common sense veto of a bad piece of legislation,” said Valerie Schmalz, director of the Archdiocese of San Francisco Office of Human Life & Dignity.
In his veto message, Brown also noted that AB 186, if law, would place health care workers in legal jeopardy. “…although this bill creates immunity under state law, it can’t create such immunity under federal law. In fact, the United States Attorney General has already threatened prosecution and it would be irresponsible to expose local officials and health care professionals to potential federal criminal charges,” the California governor said in his veto statement.
In an Aug. 27 New York Times op-ed, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein wrote that safe injection sites “are very dangerous and would only make the opioid crisis worse,” Rosenstein wrote.
“Because federal law clearly prohibits injection sites, cities and counties should expect the Department of Justice to meet the opening of any injection site with swift and aggressive action,” Rosenstein wrote. He noted, “Violations are punishable by up to 20 years in prison, hefty fines and forfeiture of the property used in the criminal activity. The law also authorizes the federal government to obtain civil injunctions against violators.”
San Francisco Mayor Breed’s initiative was backed by a number of social service providers, and Glide Memorial Church held an open house of a mock safe injection site at the end of August.