State Senate Votes To Ban Safe Injection Sites

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s state Senate is approving legislation to ban so-called safe injection sites, where opioid users could legally inject heroin and other drugs under supervision as a way to reduce overdoses. The bill passed Monday, 41-9, with every Republican in favor and nine of 22 Democrats against it. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Christine Tartaglione, says she supports recovery efforts, but not what she called “programs that perpetuate addiction without a path to recovery.” Sen. Nikil Saval said efforts to ban the centers are based on misconceptions and that they save lives. Gov. Josh Shapiro opposes safe injection sites. The bill goes to the state House of Representatives.