The city has been exploring the idea of operating a “supervised consumption site” in the city, to help lower the instances of death and serious injuries to those who use hard drugs, such as opioids and other substances that are injected intravenously.

The idea is to provide a safe, clean place where users can inject their drugs under medical supervision, without fear of interference by law enforcement personnel.

Certain health care professionals have been promoting the idea for some time, but the high-profile involvement of the mayor and City Council has brought the matter into sharper focus by the general public. The apparent resolve to actually make this happen, rather than just give lip service to the idea, has also shed much light on the issue over the past several weeks, as a number of virtual town halls concentrating on the issue has brought it into sharper focus in the public eye.

There are so many unknowns and fine details to be considered in a matter such as this. Promoting and planning for such a facility is one thing, while actually pulling it off is another.

All of us wish for an end to the misery and tragedy that opioid addiction has brought to our society. Perhaps the creation of such a facility would bring us a step or two closer to solving this troubling issue.

It is also hoped that with effective counseling by the facility staff, those who are struggling with addiction can more easily access tools and support systems that will eventually free them from reliance on these dangerous drugs. That would be the best possible result of all.