^{Wealth & Poverty Review} “Safe Injection Sites” Aren’t Safe, Effective or Wise. Just Ask Canadians

If you've never heard of "safe injection sites" — public facilities for drug users to consume heroin, fentanyl and methamphetamine under the supervision of medical staff — you probably will soon. In cities such as Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco, drug legalization activists have launched a campaign to create such sites.

When challenged, activists point to Canada, which they have long cited as a model of enlightened drug policies. In their policy proposals and campaign literature, drug legalization advocates argue that safe injection sites in Canada—particularly the Insite facility in Vancouver, British Columbia—have prevented overdose deaths and saved lives.

They should ask a few Canadians. In cities throughout the Great White North, a group of insurgent leaders has begun to turn against safe injection sites—and they are winning with voters. Since 2016, anti-safe injection site candidates have won the premierships of Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba.