Author: Dwayne D. Royster
Across Philadelphia, an epidemic of drug overdoses is tearing families apart and shattering lives. Marginalized communities suffer the most, with generations of disinvestment perpetuating a cycle of suffering that is exacerbated by COVID-19. We must take a thoughtful and compassionate approach to solving this crisis.
First, we must face a grim reality: Black communities now bear the brunt of the overdose epidemic. More Black Philadelphians in 2021 died Have overdosed more often than members of any other group, and Fatal drug overdoses increasing faster For blacks in Philadelphia, more than any other group. In 2022, this city Accidental overdose deaths The number is almost three times the original Homicide case.
As a faith leader, I mourn with the families of overdose victims, and I dream of a day when no family will have to bear this grief. Our faith calls us to respond to the needs of all people, setting aside fear and prejudice.
To truly solve this problem, we cannot give up the tools. Cities around the world have used overdose prevention centers for decades. Centers are proven to save lives while opening the door to treatment, mitigating the impact of drug abuse on surrounding communities, and saving millions of dollars in health care costs by preventing diseases like HIV and hepatitis C. One study found a 26% net reduction in overdose deaths A safe place to spend money around Vancouver. Another site in Barcelona saw a 50% drop in mortality from 1991 to 2008.
The City Council recently banned life-saving overdose prevention centers across much of Philadelphia. The ban appears to be preemptive and largely symbolic. A federal court has banned such a center in the city.
Indeed, there are real concerns about the ongoing impact of this crisis, including historical fears that Black and brown communities will disproportionately bear the burden of addressing it.
However, my concern with such a ban is that it even inadvertently reinforces the idea that criminalization, not science, is the correct response to the drug crisis because it limits evidence-based treatment.
For more than half a century, the war on drugs has exacerbated racism without keeping drugs out of our communities.Philadelphia black man arrested for marijuana possession triple the frequency Just like their white neighbors.The United States accounts for 5% of the world’s population, but we 25Percentage of people incarcerated in the world disproportionate Some of these people are black and brown. If criminalization was successful in responding to the drug crisis, we would expect black and brown communities to have the lowest overdose rates — conversely, in Philadelphia, we have the highest overdose rates.
It’s time to consider tools that other countries are already using successfully. That means reducing barriers to treatment for addicts, legalizing marijuana, expunging the records of neighbors convicted of nonviolent crimes, and yes, even considering establishing overdose prevention centers.
Before any safe consumption sites can open, we need to have an open dialogue about concerns that these sites may increase crime and worsen quality of life issues.
However, blanket bans are not the best way to address these issues—collaboration between elected leaders, community members, and treatment providers is the best way forward.
I would like to emphasize Congressman Gauthier’s cautious stance on this issue. While she did not object to the decisions of her City Council colleagues for her district, she chose to exclude her district from this new ordinance. She did so because she believes any safe injection site requires strong public engagement through existing zoning procedures.
Proverbs 31:8-9 Tell us, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, speak up for the rights of all those who are poor. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and the needy.” Congressman Gauthier stood up for some of our most vulnerable friends, Families and neighbors are speaking out, refusing to preemptively ban something that might help save their lives. Her choice could spark a broader conversation among policymakers — one rooted in putting the needs of affected families first.
At this critical time, let us renew our commitment to community, faith and values. Together, we can confront the opioid crisis with compassion, data-driven solutions, and an unwavering belief in the power of hope. The lives of our loved ones are at stake.
Bishop Dwayne D. Royster is executive director of POWER Interfaith and POWER Action Fund.