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. 2022 Nov-Dec;16(6):624-626.
doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000996. Epub 2022 Jun 27.

Reflections From Rhode Island's Safe Consumption Sites Regulations Committee: A Lesson in Racial Equity

Rahul Vanjani  1 , Jon Soske, Andrea Pitts, Dennis Bailer
Affiliations

Reflections From Rhode Island's Safe Consumption Sites Regulations Committee: A Lesson in Racial Equity

Rahul Vanjani et al. J Addict Med. 2022 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

In July 2021, a statewide measure to create Harm Reduction Centers (also known as safe consumption sites [SCS]) was signed into law in Rhode Island. Convincing evidence shows that SCS can reduce premature death in the surrounding neighborhood. Although SCS have had success around the globe for approaching 40 years, implementing a harm reduction center of this kind in the United States requires consideration of this country's unique racial and geographic politics. In this manuscript, we describe a series of discussions at the Regulations Committee meetings in Rhode Island around the question of whether or not to mandate the presence of inhalation rooms. Through this vignette, we aim to convey how, at the highest level of government, citizens of Rhode Island were able to promote and prioritize racial equity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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