Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death for people under 50 in the United States. A New York Times report, citing data from across the country, says more than 59,000 people likely died of drug overdoses last year — the largest annual jump ever recorded in the U.S.
In Massachusetts, nearly 2,000 people fatally overdose on opioid drugs last year. That’s why in April, the Massachusetts Medical Society came out in support of Supervised Injection Sites, where addicts can use drugs using clean needles alongside doctors who are ready to administer overdose drugs if necessary.
Dr. Henry Dorkin, president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and Doctor Robert Baratz, an internal medicine specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Milton, who opposes the proposal, joined Jim to debate.
