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Committee hears broad support and questions for overdose‑prevention center pilot (HB 8 45)
Summary
Delegates and witnesses described overdose prevention centers as a harm‑reduction approach that can reverse overdoses, reduce emergency calls, and connect people to care; sponsors sought pilot authority but faced questions about community impacts and evidence.
The committee heard extensive testimony on House Bill 8 45, which would authorize a pilot program to permit up to six local overdose prevention centers (OPCs) in non‑residential areas with high drug use. Supporters — including medical professionals, harm‑reduction advocates and people with lived experience — said OPCs provide supervised spaces where trained staff can reverse overdoses, reduce emergency calls, connect people to treatment, and reduce syringe litter.
Dr. Halia Melnick (presenting for the bill) described OPCs as monitored sites that do not supply drugs…
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