Judge Says Philly Safe Injection Site Is Legal

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia's efforts to establish a safe injection site for intravenous drug users were bolstered Wednesday when a federal judge ruled the proposed site does not violate drug laws.

Safehouse, a non-profit group whose leaders include former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, won in federal court with U.S. District Judge Gerald A. McHugh saying the sites do not violate a 1980s law targeting "crack house."

That means Safehouse can continue working toward establishing a safe injection site. The group has been eyeing the Kensington area to set up a site.

"The Safehouse decision is a legal and moral victory for good and caring neighbors who devote countless resources saving the lives of our children, parents, siblings, and friends," Philadlephia District Attorney Larry Krasner said. "This ruling is also a resounding defeat for Donald Trump and his minions’ callous efforts to increase the suffering of people and communities struggling with addiction."

United States Attorney William M. McSwain, who has been a vocal opponent of the sites and argued they violate drug laws, said the decision Wednesday was just the beginning.

"Today’s opinion is merely the first step in a much longer legal process that will play out," he said. This case is obviously far from over. We look forward to continuing to litigate it, and we are very confident in our legal position."

It's unclear what action McSwain's office will take in response to the decision and when Safehouse will progress with its safe injection site plans.