Denver’s City Council recently issued a proclamation endorsing several controversial drug policies, including a “safe supply” initiative that aims to provide pharmaceutical-grade opioids to individuals with addiction. This policy is intended to reduce harm by offering a controlled supply of drugs, supposedly safer than those found in illicit markets. However, critics argue that this approach is fraught with issues and lacks evidence-based support. They point to British Columbia’s similar initiatives, which have not reduced overdose deaths, as a cautionary tale. The focus on harm reduction, critics say, has overshadowed essential prevention and recovery efforts, potentially exacerbating the drug crisis rather than mitigating it.

The proclamation’s critics emphasise the need for a comprehensive approach that includes not only harm reduction but also active prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies. They argue that simply providing safe supplies overlooks the broader necessity of addressing both the supply and demand sides of the drug crisis. The experience in British Columbia, where overdose rates remain high despite harm reduction policies, serves as a warning against relying solely on such methods. Instead, a balanced strategy that enforces laws against open-air drug markets while promoting evidence-based treatment and recovery programs is advocated as a more effective solution to the ongoing crisis.

Source: The Gazette