Over the past 20 years, the fatality rate from opioid and drug overdoses has dramatically increased in the United States. Clearly, a solution is needed to address this vast and serious problem. While Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently enacted legislation investing over $800 million towards the treatment and prevention of the opioid crisis, the legislation does not endorse the implementation of Safe Injection Sites (SIS), which have been proven to save lives in other countries. The purpose of this policy analysis was to explore the benefits of SIS in mitigating the opioid crisis, barriers to adoption, and potential solutions to barriers. SIS have been successful in reducing overdose deaths, preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and connecting people who use drugs with healthcare and social services. Barriers to the adoption of SIS include political opposition, legal challenges, and community pushback. Possible solutions to overcome these barriers include education and outreach campaigns to increase public awareness and support, partnering with law enforcement and community leaders, and piloting SIS in smaller, more controlled settings to demonstrate their effectiveness and safety. The findings of this policy analysis suggest that the time is not right for SIS in Michigan. Stakeholders expressed great concerns about initiating such a program at this time. However, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) living in Wayne County, Michigan can still play a crucial role in addressing the opioid epidemic by providing evidence-based treatment and counseling to individuals with opioid use disorder, advocating for policy changes to increase access to care, and participating in educational initiatives to raise awareness of opioid misuse and addiction.
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