Editing Opioid Crisis in Philadelphia (section)

=== Harm Reduction ===

Harm reduction services aim to reduce deaths and disease transmission among people who continue using drugs. Naloxone distribution provides the overdose-reversing medication to users, bystanders, and first responders. Syringe service programs provide clean injection equipment, reducing HIV and hepatitis transmission while providing connections to treatment. These evidence-based interventions save lives while generating controversy from those who view them as enabling drug use.<ref name="opioid"/>

Philadelphia has pursued supervised injection site establishment, which would provide a facility where people could use drugs under medical supervision to prevent overdose deaths. Legal challenges and federal opposition have blocked implementation, though advocates continue pursuing the approach as deaths mount. The debate illustrates tensions between harm reduction philosophy and enforcement-focused approaches.<ref name="opioid"/>