BTBuzz: Democratic lawmaker wants heroin, crack, other drugs legally administered to addicts

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A Californian Democratic assemblywoman wants to allow addicts to legally use heroin, crack and other drugs at supervised facilities to reduce the number of overdoses, igniting vehement protest from the state’s law enforcement leaders.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman has introduced a bill that supports setting up clinics overseen by local and state health departments that would administer hardcore drugs.

Her argument: There are too many people dying from overdoses and letting them shoot up under supervision will not only save lives, but reduce the number of people infected with HIV and hepatitis C.

The reaction from law enforcement: no way, no how.

“This sends entirely the wrong message regarding drug use and likely creates civil liability issues for participating governments and officials,” Asha Harris, spokeswoman for the California State Sheriffs’ Association, told AP.

The idea stems from a Canadian facility that has administered more than 2 million injections at the cost of $2 million a year.

They report success and some lawmakers in the U.S. want to test the idea here.

San Francisco, Seattle, New York City and Ithaca, New York are considering local ordinances to set up these facilities in their communities.

Check out AP’s full story on Channel 7 HERE.