re: California lawmaker proposes supervised opiate use

The opiate problem is a real crisis. I had to complete required training for naloxone provision this week. Most Louisiana pharmacists are participating.

Louisiana law now states we can and should provide anyone (patient or their caregiver) presenting to the pharmacy with signs of OD the antidote (naloxone) without a prescription. I hope I will never have to do this.

We are very careful in who we fill opioid medications for at our pharmacy. We only provide these drugs for legitimate pain patients (cancer, surgeries) but see a lot of forgeries and drug seekers in our area. The idea of a half-dead addict being dumped in front the pharmacy to receive treatment is scary.

It's a terrible problem and sadly, people that have true pain are considered to be 'drug seekers' and sometimes can't get the help they need. I remember back in the 90's OxyContin had a 120mg SR and Purdue pharmaceutical took ithem off of the market because so many addicts were snorting or shooting it up and dying.

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Addiction is the disease. You stand a better chance of overcoming with support.

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A supervised injection clinic is not for weaning people off heroin. It's to keep them from dying while doing it.

You don't overcome any addiction by suddenly being given unfettered access to the addictive substance.

Are you seriously going to tell me that the state supplying you with higher quality liquor than you were drinking would have been the mechanism to aid you in giving up alcohol?

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A supervised injection clinic is not for weaning people off heroin. It's to keep them from dying while doing it

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So controlled dosing isn't considered healthier than using street drugs of unknown purity or formulation? Being able to offer treatment and healthy support could be a step toward treatment?

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Possibly, but that is not what this type of clinic does. They don't propose to offer treatment, just medical intervention if someone overdoses

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Any clinic is going to offer information or pathways for rehab. My belief is that this would be an affirmative step compared to back alley shooting galleries.

It's opinion, but I think it's based on truth.

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Any clinic is going to offer information or pathways for rehab. My belief is that this would be an affirmative step compared to back alley shooting galleries.

It's opinion, but I think it's based on truth.

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I actually reworded my response above. It is possible that some treatment facilities could offer this, if they could provide the intended medical intervention, but that isn't what the proposal is about. It's a no-strings-attached offer to watch you shoot up and attempt to help you if you OD.

And honestly, reading the article, it doesn't even say that the substance will be controlled or dispensed by the clinic. The wording makes it legal for them to allow you to use on the premises, not for them to provide it. So you don't even eliminate street drugs from the cycle.

Your idea might have merit, but I don't see much merit in their proposal, honestly.

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And honestly, reading the article, it doesn't even say that the substance will be controlled or dispensed by the clinic. The wording makes it legal for them to allow you to use on the premises, not for them to provide it. So you don't even eliminate street drugs from the cycle

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Supervised use without supplying and controlling is 100% useless and serves no purpose. There is no incentive for a user to use that type of facility and it makes no sense.

We've spent a trillion on thewar on drugs and it's a failure. It's time to consider alternatives.

I mean

I know a girl... how old is she, 30/31 ish. when she was a child her dad used to molest her and her mom used to whore her out for drugs. you want to talk about a fricked up arse upbringing. she used to use heroin at like 15 to numb herself to being whored out. she's 30 and still uses to block out the memories /t he pain / shame. she's been raped more times than she can count.

I mean, this is her life. and despite it all, she's not a horrible person. she takes care of her uncle who is blind and can't take care of himself, make sure his bills are paid and he has food and stuff. one of the only girls i know IRL that doesn't try to hit me up for money if she wants something she'll go get it herself.


a few months ago she was jonsing for heroin really really bad and some dudes took advantage of her and basically filmed her getting ran through by like 5 dudes. i joke around and shite on this forum but i detest nothing more in real life than a guy who takes advantage of a woman and holds something over her head to make her do something she doesn't want to do. That's some foul shite and i hope they burn in hell.


first thing she does is shoot up, and makes it an extra good dose to block out what just happened / what she just did, and she OD's. She almost died but pulled through. I would not be shocked if she tried to intentionally OD


My hope, seriously, is that she lives long enough to get clean. She has a good heart and it breaks my heart to see her do the shite she does to block out the shite she does and the shite she has done. She doesn't deserve to die because of her shitty parents.


If there is a bill or a way to keep her alive / not kill herself until she gets to the point in life where she's ready to get clean than i'm for it.


This just isn't a black and white issue. There is a lot of gray. I don't want to see anyone be addicted to opiates but if you are going to do them at least give yourself the chance to live long enough to get clean