(The Center Square) – A plan to launch Illinois’ first overdose prevention site is facing pushback from critics who say it could encourage drug use and increase crime. Supporters argue it would save lives.
House Bill 2929 was advanced by the Mental Health and Addiction committee but hasn’t been called to the floor. State Rep. Dennis Tipsword, R-Metamora, sits on the committee.
“If someone’s going there and they have their heroin with them, they would have some immunity going to and from the center. Well, obviously, I’m against that but the way they had it written the first time, it said that these people had any immunity from any criminal case. Once you’re a patient at this facility, does that immunity follow you everywhere you go? I mean, the language was horrible and very vague,” said Tipsword.
Tipsword said he and the Sheriff’s Association urged the sponsor to “clean up the language.” HB2929’s sponsor state Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-Chicago, according to Tipsword, amended the bill to provide immunity within the facility.
“The movement that he’s doing on the bill leads me to believe that he intends on moving it. It’s not just laying out there with no activity on it,” said Tipsword.
Tipsword said the original language would have included multiple sites, where users could consume their narcotics under medical supervision. The bill has been clarified and will allow the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) the authority to establish just one site.
Tipsword said Illinois shouldn’t establish overdose prevention centers like New York, because the New York facilities have “failed.”
“It’s failing in New York and they’re closing these facilities because people are not using them as a way to get help. The sponsor’s hope is that you’ll get these addicts to come in and then you can have them in an environment that you can sell them on treatment. It’s not working in New York. So, why would we try it here?” said Tipsword.
Tipsword called IDHS a “failing agency.”
“I’m going round and round with DHS and I have bipartisan support on some great legislation that we are working on to kind of force DHS’s hand to take care of these folks who are unfit in our county jails. They struggle, and to give them another layer is just not the right approach,” said Tipsword.
Tipsword’s House Bill 1743 requires DHS to transfer inmates deemed unfit to stand trial within 20 days of a court order, with DHS reimbursing counties for any delays beyond that.
Tipsword said if the bill is enacted, Illinois state government would be allowing people to take their own narcotics to a controlled facility and use them.
“We know, addicts have a history of doing what it takes to get the drugs they need, and a lot of times that means crime. So, I think it would be a pipe dream to think that this somehow would reduce crime,” said Tipsword. “You can’t force addicts into treatment.”
