Tell Vermont Legislators to Override the Veto and Finally Launch an Overdose Prevention Center

Over 1,500 Vermonters have been lost to a fatal overdose since 2014 - and most were alone when it occurred. Overdose deaths are preventable and we should be using every tool available to support those who are at risk.

The evidence is clear: overdose prevention centers (OPCs) save lives. Research from some of the nearly 200 such facilities in operation show that they prevent loss of lives, improve health of participants, and reduce emergency-response costs and public drug use in communities; AND they increase connections to treatment and recovery services.

There is no more time to wait. Legislation to establish OPCs in Vermont, H. 72, passed both the Vermont House and Senate with overwhelming support, but was unfortunately vetoed by the Governor.

Tell legislators to override the Governor’s veto, and follow through on their support for a lifesaving overdose prevention center pilot to open in Burlington.

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Your Message

Subject

Dear Representative / Senator,

Message Body

I am writing to urge you to override Governor Scott’s veto of H.72, which would allow an overdose prevention center to open in Burlington. As a Vermont resident, I know all too well the scale of the overdose crisis, which has stolen the lives of 1,500 people over the last decade, and continues to devastate families, neighborhoods, and entire communities across the state. We need to act with urgency, follow the science, and use every tool at our disposal to save lives and connect people with the care they need.

The majority of Vermonters who lose their lives to overdose die alone. That’s why I believe we must allow local groups to set up and operate overdose prevention centers (OPCs), which bring people who use drugs into safer locations where they can be surrounded by trained staff who can prevent overdoses from becoming fatal and provide other critical support.

I appreciate the work that we have done to expand access to naloxone and support people who are experiencing substance use disorder, but I believe we must try everything possible to help prevent overdose deaths and enhance our system of care for people who use drugs.

Our state has been studying OPCs for many years, and now there is a large body of research showing the benefits of OPCs to both individuals and the surrounding communities where they’re located. Not only do they directly save the lives of people at risk of overdosing, but they also help prevent infection, facilitate connections to treatment, reduce public drug use and litter, and save money by reducing EMT calls. Every second counts in an overdose, and we should make sure that professionals are on hand immediately when someone needs life-saving help.

We need to try this in at least one location in the state, as Rhode Island is doing. The bill passed overwhelmingly by the legislature, H. 72, would allow us to see whether this can make a difference in Vermont. I believe it will, and I urge you to override the veto so we can finally move forward on this.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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