“We support the commission’s recommendation and
recognize that there will be a myriad of obstacles to overcome on the
way to the establishment of a pilot supervised consumption site in
Massachusetts. We will continue to work with all
involved stakeholders to bring the perspective of patients and
physicians to any future discussions and collaborations that can lead to
lives saved.
“The Massachusetts Medical Society two years ago
published a report that detailed what a supervised consumption site is
and what it is not. Evidence contained within our report and accepted
by the scientific community validates the efficacy
of these facilities in saving lives from overdose and serving as a
conduit to medically appropriate treatment.
“Addiction is a chronic illness. If a physician
does not explore and consider all medically appropriate measures by
which to treat a chronic illness, it flies counter to our obligation to
our patients. Dismissing any proven life-saving
measure is tantamount to giving up, and we will never give up on any
patient, especially those who are most vulnerable.
“We recognize that the concept of a supervised
consumption site is novel, but as the first medical society in the
nation to support a pilot facility and a ground-floor leader in the push
for a pilot facility in the Commonwealth, we will
continue to advocate on behalf of our patients who suffer from the
chronic illness that is addiction.”
Dr. Alain A. Chaoui, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
