 It’s hard to argue on the side of safe injection sites in the Seattle area, not only because it’s hard to justify in general, but also because proponents against the sites are quite adamant. This was all made more apparent when it was revealed that over 70,000 signatures from residents across the city will be handed into city hall in an effort to strike down any attempts made on providing safe injection sites within the city of Seattle.
We at Seattle 5 Star Review are going to make an attempt to counter-point, if you will, with all the temerity that comes with the stance. Whether or not there is an allowance for this type of behavior, it is going to continue regardless, this isn’t a claim, this isn’t a justification, this is just looking over the facts of the last few dozen years in the Seattle area alone. Those who partake in the ingestion of illegal drugs aren’t going to stop simply because of an attempt to make them even more cast out as behaviors go. Though entrapment laws make it difficult to simply round these individuals up as they make their way to the sites, it is still a far better decision for them to have them as options. The use of injections leaves materials behind, one of which of course being needles. We remember stories of needles found in parks, playgrounds, school yards, and more, as these are wide open spaces that are rarely regulated in the evenings. It’s the perfect type of place for someone looking to take part in an illegal activity without having to worry about possible dangers. This of course leaves possible danger for those who follow onto that property in the hours to come, and is unfortunately more often than not, young children. By providing safe injection sites, we also provide direct access to biohazardous and sharps waste, which is a vital step in bringing down some of the issues that comes with those using these materials in our public places. These attempts to strike down locations such as safe injection sites seem much more like trying to punish those addicted, than trying to bring about any safety in the wake of their unwanted behavior. We are not by any means condoning the action, and we are not saying that we should make things easier for those who partake, but we are saying that we need to look beyond the action, and into the consequences. Not just the consequence of those who are directly affecting themselves with the behavior, but those who are conversely affected by their actions. We need to provide more solutions for those addicted, to bring measures to assist them away from drugs, and not to shove the issue back into the dark corner. There is no resolution here, only a problem that is out of sight, and out of mind.
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