The mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts, said he cannot support on-site opioid injection facilities. That comes ahead of a hearing Tuesday on Governor Charlie Baker's opioid bill.
Sarno said in an interview he supports "wraparound services," a treatment approach that focuses on underlying problems like unemployment and homelessness. The position marks a change from past years, when Sarno opposed needle exchange programs.
However, Sarno said, the idea of opening facilities in which addicts can inject opioids under medical supervision is still unacceptable to him.
"The injection sites right now would be a very hard sell to me," Sarno said. "You’d also have to deal with the federal aspect...I believe it is illegal”
The AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts and other advocates have called for supervised injection sites to be included in the governor's bill.
Sarno said state funding for more beds at treatment facilities in Springfield will be a key factor in whether he will support the bill.
