As officials struggle to fight the opioid epidemic that is plaguing the country, some big cities are considering creating "safe injection" sites. Addicts would be able to use their drugs under the watch of medical professionals, and they would be provided clean needles. While no city has submitted a formal plan, the idea is already stirring up controversy. Dina Fine Maron, Health & Medicine Editor at Scientific American, explains the science behind safe injection sites. Allowing addicts to use drugs under supervision and with clean needles helps to reduce diseases associated with intravenous drug use such as HIV. While no city in the United States has a "safe injection" site, Fine Maron says existing sites in Europe and Canada have proven to be a success. Data shows that opening these sites helps reduce opioid-related deaths and problems.

Share:
More In Science
Cooking and Eating with IBS
When a sibling was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, Doctor Onikepe Adegbola was surprised by how difficult it was to eat following an IBS diet. That is why the doctor has launched Casa de Sante, a "FODMAP" approved food brand.
How Your Smartphone Has Hacked Your Brain
At this point, most of us feel we couldn't live without our smartphones. And this dependence is enabled by addictive apps and feedback mechanisms called intermittent variable rewards.
Indulging in Guilt-Free Candy
Tara Bosch was 22-years-old when she decided she was tired of sugar-filled snacks and candy and wanted to do something about it. The entrepreneur is now 23 and the founder of SmartSweets, a gummy bear candy that is healthier than any alternative on the market.
Between Bells: December 26, 2017
This Changes Things: Advice for the executives and leaders of tomorrow, powered by American Express OPEN. On Between Bells: The year ahead in politics, the best cars of 2018, and why you should eat your feelings. With Salon, Cultura Colectiva, The Drive, and Fast Company.
Can Psychedelic Mushrooms Cure OCD?
Plenty is known about marijuana's health and medicinal benefits, but there's less attention being paid to advancements in psychedelics. Writer and performer Adam Strauss, along with Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (M.A.P.S.) Executive Director Rick Doblin, join us to discuss the new show that tracks one man's quest to use mushrooms to cure his severe OCD.
The Secret World of Animal Sleep
Ever wonder how a dolphin sleeps while still swimming? Or how a giraffe sleeps while standing up? Cara Santa Maria, Narrator of Smithsonian Earth's "The Secret World of Animal Sleep" joins Cheddar to explore the wild world of sleeping animals.
Are Aliens Among Us?
The Pentagon has admitted there are UFOs...well soft of. It has admitted that a program called The Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program ran from 2007-2012 with the mission to explore life outside of Earth.
Load More