This historic win puts health first and will save lives
Friend,
I’m excited to share that the Vermont legislature just overrode Governor Scott’s veto and enacted a law that will allow an overdose prevention center (OPC) to open in Burlington. This is a historic victory for drug policies grounded in health, equity, safety, and human rights. And it means that Vermont will join Rhode Island, Minnesota, New York City, and other locations in embracing OPCs. Across the globe, policymakers are recognizing the need for evidence-based solutions to the overdose crisis.
We thank our allies and supporters like you for helping us cross the finish line! This campaign is the result of years of thoughtful and courageous leadership, hard work, and grassroots advocacy. And we faced enormous barriers. Vermont Governor Phil Scott tried to stand in the way of progress. Like Governor Newsom in California, Governor Hochul in New York, Mayor Parker in Philadelphia, Governor Scott defaulted to stigma. He vetoed OPC legislation several times, and while the legislature overturned this year’s veto, it was very close and shows what we are up against. In places across the country, Democrat and Republican lawmakers alike are trying to double down on the drug war and failed punitive approaches of the past. But even when leaders choose political convenience over the wellbeing of their constituents, we remain clear: health crises deserve health solutions.
Every day, preventable overdoses claim the lives of too many of our family members, neighbors, and loved ones. In Vermont, which has seen a 500% increase in overdose deaths since 2010, the stakes couldn’t be clearer. Our communities cannot afford to return to punishment as the primary response to the overdose crisis. And that’s why we are glad to see Vermont elected officials, advocates, and community members embrace lifesaving OPCs. We are especially grateful to the Vermont legislators who listened to experts, reviewed the research, and changed their views on the issue. This is what real leadership looks like.
This is far from the end of this journey, but we need your support to keep going. Your gift today will help us to continue working to expand OPCs and other evidence-based, health solutions to the overdose crisis. Because no one has to die of a preventable overdose.
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We waged this campaign alongside a broad coalition. We joined health leaders, treatment experts, people in recovery, people who have lost loved ones to overdose, legislators, and people who use drugs.
Together, we presented the facts. Overdose prevention centers:
--Save lives by having trained staff available on site to intervene at the first sign of a potential overdose.
--Expand access to lifesaving harm reduction services such as syringe programs and drug checking services in addition to other wrap-around health, hygiene, and wellness supports.
--Connect people with the care they need, including evidence-based treatment. One study showed 42% of OPC participants who were not in treatment when the study began had enrolled in treatment within 24 months.
--Are cost efficient because they reduce reliance on emergency response services.
--Bring drug use indoors and reduce the presence of hazardous waste in nearby neighborhoods.
--Are proven to work. In New York, OnPoint NYC staff have intervened in an estimated 1,538 potential overdoses, disposed of over 2.5 million units of hazardous waste, and assisted over 5,127 community members get the care they need.
Learn more about OPCs: [link removed]
With your help, we will continue advocating for drug policies grounded in love, not war.
Thank you for your continued support,
Grey Gardner
Senior Policy Counsel
Drug Policy Alliance
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