As the opioid overdose crisis continues to harm people across Connecticut, there is an urgent need to take bold action.

One of the most promising solutions, supported by decades of evidence, is the establishment of overdose prevention centers . These centers save lives and provide comprehensive support to people who use drugs.

Senate Bill 1285, An Act Establishing an Overdose Prevention Center Pilot Program, was recently absorbed into Senate Bill 7, An Act Concerning Protections For Access To Health Care And The Equitable Delivery Of Health Care Services In The State. In summary, the legislation proposes the opening of four overdose prevention centers across our state.

Despite the profound potential of overdose prevention centers to save lives, both Commissioner Manisha Juthani of the Department of Public Health (DPH) and Commissioner Nancy Navarretta of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) have hesitated to fully endorse this critical bill. The Statewide Harm Reduction Partnership believes it was disconcerting to see the lack of full support from key public health leaders.

Overdose prevention centers offer a wide range of services, including access to naloxone, drug checking, syringe exchange, wound care, and crucially, the prevention of overdoses themselves. Overdose prevention centers are also a key public health tool by providing wraparound services such as HIV prevention and treatment, mental health care, and connections to social supports.

Commissioner Juthani of DPH has professed a commitment to revitalizing public health in our state,particularly in addressing the opioid crisis. In her testimony, she importantly acknowledged at least one of the many benefits of overdose prevention centers, stating that the DPH “understands the policy interest for an overdose prevention center, as they create safer environments for people to use drugs, especially for higher-risk populations.”

Despite this, she did not extend her full support or address the DPH’s responsibility to lead in this space. As a physician and public health leader, Juthani’s expertise is invaluable, and her full endorsement could significantly impact the success of Senate Bill 7.

Similarly, Commissioner Navarretta of DMHAS, upon accepting the position as Commissioner, affirmed a commitment to supporting “those affected by the opioid epidemic by providing holistic, comprehensive, and effective services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.”

In her recent testimony, she astutely acknowledged “the important role harm reduction can play in an individual’s recovery journey.” However, her testimony also fell short of endorsing overdose prevention centers, instead pointing to the SafeSpot system as a harm reduction tool. While SafeSpot is indeed valuable, it cannot replace the comprehensive support offered by overdose prevention centers, nor can it serve some high risk populations effectively (e.g., unhoused or low income folks without access to phones, rural populations without service, etc.).

As both the leader of addiction services in our state and as a clinical psychologist specializing in addiction and behavioral health, Commissioner Navaretta is uniquely positioned to advocate for evidence-based solutions to address the overdose crisis.

So, why were both Commissioners not supporting Senate Bill 1285, now merged into Senate Bill 7? Their testimonies discussed concerns about the legality of overdose prevention centers under federal law, citing the need for changes in federal statutes (i.e., 21 U.S. Code § 856) or a clear interpretation from the Department of Justice. However, Scott Burris, a leading legal scholar in public health law, has clarified that arguments claiming overdose prevention centers violate 21 U.S. Code § 856 are a matter of political opinion rather than legal certainty. While there is uncertainty in the federal landscape, this underscores why states must take the lead.

Since the last time an overdose prevention center legislation was introduced in Connecticut, more than 2,000 residents have lost their lives. We cannot afford to wait any longer.

Our Statewide Harm Reduction Partnership has sent letters to both the commissioners of DPH and DMHAS, outlining the life-saving potential of overdose prevention centers and urging their full support for Senate Bill 1285, now Senate Bill 7. To date, no responses have been received from either office.

While we certainly understand the implications supporting overdose prevention centers might have in this current political landscape, the silence from both commissioners is nonetheless concerning. We remain hopeful that a lack of response to our letter does not suggest a reluctance to engage with or support innovative approaches to addressing the overdose crisis. We stand firm in the belief that both commissioners are uniquely positioned to advocate for overdose prevention centers as evidence-based solutions that can address the overdose crisis.

While our coalition deeply appreciates the many current efforts championed by both the DPH and the DMHAS, Connecticut continues to lose too many lives to preventable overdose. Connecticut needs courageous leadership to address the overdose epidemic effectively. We urge Commissioners Juthani and Navarretta to reconsider their positions and fully support the establishment of overdose prevention centers. The evidence is clear: overdose prevention centers save lives and provide the dignity and support that individuals affected by the opioid crisis desperately need.

In the upcoming legislative vote on Senate Bill 7, we call on public health leaders, including Commissioners Juthani and Navarretta, to step up and support this essential initiative. The health and safety of our communities depend on it.

Katherine Hill of Hamden writes on behalf of The Statewide Harm Reduction Partnership (SHaRP), a coalition of over 150 individuals and organizations advocating for harm reduction strategies in Connecticut. The letters sent to the DPH and DHMAS Commissioners and the resulting commentry above were voted on by the majority of SHaRP members, but may not reflect the reviews of some individuals or organizations within SHaRP.

Katherine Hill of Hamden writes on behalf of The Statewide Harm Reduction Partnership (SHaRP), a coalition of over 150 individuals and organizations advocating for harm reduction strategies in Connecticut. The letters sent to the DPH and DHMAS Commissioners and the resulting commentry above were voted on by the majority of SHaRP members, but may not reflect the reviews of some individuals or organizations within SHaRP.