Injection sites will be ‘biggest change to drug policy since prohibition’

The battle over safe consumption sites continues with a lawsuit that would prevent an initiative that seeks to ban them from appearing on a ballot.

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Backers of the injection sites for drug users argue it would be a benefit, as those who visit would have access to life-saving medical treatment and programs to help them kick their habits.

Those who oppose the sites say it will only make the problem worse and bring more drug users from around the country into the area.

On Tuesday, State Sen. Mark Miloscia told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson that if the consumption sites become a reality, it will “basically be the biggest change in drug policy since prohibition.”

Initiative 27 received enough signatures to be placed on a February ballot. The initiative aims to ban the consumption sites in King County; there are two sites planned, one in Seattle and one elsewhere.

Protect Public Health filed a lawsuit on Monday that would invalidate the measure, arguing that public health policy is outside the scope of the initiative process.

Dori says the challenge to the initiative is nonsense. After all, it received enough signatures to be eligible for the ballot.

“When bureaucrats and these elected officials want to fight something, they fight,” Miloscia said.

Listen to the entire interview here.