Viewpoint Archives

07.15.2017 "Prepping a rig" - preparing heroin for injection

Moralism, Public Health, and Supervised Injection Facilities

Leonard Glantz compares two health policy decisions based on moralism that led to a failure in harm reduction, arguing that moralism undermines the efforts of public health.

Guest Author Leonard Glantz

07.13.2017 a star shaped badge with a bear

SIFs: The Wrong Message About Drug Use

PHP Fellow Qing Wai Wong spoke with Cory Salzillo, Legislative Director of the California State Sheriffs’ Association, about AB 186, which proposes allowing for the creation of supervised injection facilities in California.

Fellow Qing Wai Wong

07.12.2017 A brick wall with the word addiction written in chalk

We Can Do Better

In the debate on the value of SIFs in the United States, questioning their value must be part of the discussion. Are SIFs enabling drug users, or simply giving up hope on them?

Guest Author Brianne Fitzgerald

07.11.2017 a needle with a drop of liquid

Busting Myths about Supervised Injection Facilities

Despite evidence attesting to their efficacy, policymakers and legislators face ideological resistance to the creation of supervised injection facilities. Faiz Kidwai unpacks some common myths about these facilities.

Guest Author Faiz Kidwai

07.10.2017 Insite, the first legal supervised injection facility in North America. Photo courtesy Vancouver Coastal Health.

Supervised Injection Facilities: The Time is Now

Senator William Brownsberger, sponsor of a bill to create a framework for the legal operation of supervised injection facilities (SIFs) in Massachusetts, writes the first article in our week-long debate on SIFs.

Guest Author William N. Brownsberger

06.30.2017 A lead pipe from Roman times

Lead Pipes: The Cost of Kicking the Can Down the Road

City Councillor Ryan O'Malley weighs in on the lead pipe problem in Malden, Massachusetts.

Guest Author Ryan O'Malley

06.26.2017 Tomatos and avocados

Malnutrition Is About More Than Food Security

The solution to malnutrition may require focus on root causes rather than on increased food production. Gardens for Health International identifies a number of complex, interrelated factors that impact a family’s food security.

Guest Author Bailey Adams

06.12.2017 White House lit with Pride colors

Refusal Laws Threaten LGBT Healthcare Access

State laws have been introduced that frame refusal to serve LGBT people and/or same-sex couples as Constitutionally-guaranteed “free exercise” of religion. These bills undermine efforts to improve LGBT access to culturally competent care.

Guest Author Sean Cahill

05.31.2017 A model of The Pill on a black background

Contraception is Preventative Care

Before the ACA, 55 percent of woman between 18 and 34 reported struggling with the cost of birth control at some point. By declaring contraceptives preventive care, the ACA guaranteed patients, regardless of their economic status, the ability to shape their own lives. This guarantee is in jeopardy.

Guest Author Jennifer Childs-Roshak

body.tag .page-numbers { pointer-events: auto; }