The need for safe injection sites

First, cut out the derogatory, dehumanizing language about the homeless. Sue Lani Madsen’s comments: “We flushed out a woman and a dog sleeping in a red car, a woman crashed out on a mattress; and the pitiful 85 percent showing up nightly at the House of Charity drunk, drugged or addicted.” (“Homeless assessment must be candid,” March 23). We are talking about human beings here. Words matter. Dehumanizing language is just wrong.

And second, regarding the blue lights installed in our downtown library to deter drug use, without a safe injection site, people in desperate situations will keep injecting in public spaces. The Spokesman failed to report that needles have now been found in the bookshelves and other very public places in that library, but at least the plumbing bills have gone down. Wow. The article questioned whether we are creating a new problem. Absolutely. Just wait for the first innocent child to prick their finger on a needle from a bookshelf.

Until we meet vulnerable people where they are with compassion and understanding, no one is going to improve. Lynn Everson at the Spokane Health District Needle Exchange has exchanged needles for thousands of clients for 30 years. She does not judge anyone and provides the one safety net in their life. This is where drug addicts go when they are ready for help. As controversial as it may seem, we need safe injection sites in Spokane. Let’s join the dozens of other cities who are facing this hard fact and doing something about it.

Barb Brock

Cheney