Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick has outlined his full proposal to deal with heroin addiction within the city. The proposal, being called the “Ithaca Plan,” seeks to do several things, including:
-Expand access to treatment
-Reduce overdose deaths and infectious disease
– Prevent drug use and sales
-Decrease rates of incarceration
-Save taxpayers money
The Ithaca Plan consists of several different measures to address addiction, however, two measures in particular are causing controversy and drawing national attention. The first measure being questioned would allow for the controlled use of heroin, with the intent to slowly wean individuals off of the drug. The second measure would include the incorporation of supervised injection sites within the City of Ithaca. These sites would allow heroin addicts to use the illegal substance while in the presence of a nurse, in case of an overdose.
The Ithaca Plan will need state approval to move forward.
