BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont lawmakers will try later this month to override Governor Phil Scott’s veto of a bill allowing the creation of a drug overdose prevention center in Burlington.
The governor said such sites are well-intentioned but rejected the proposal as a costly experiment that would divert resources from proven prevention treatment and recovery strategies. The $1.1 million center would be funded from a settlement the state reached with drug companies several years ago. The Legislature strongly supports the idea. It passed the 30-member Senate 21 to 8 and the 150-member House 96 to 35, with 18 members absent. Two-thirds support in both chambers would be required to override the governor’s veto.
Supporters say the site will not only reduce the number of overdose deaths, which has doubled in the past six years, including 231 Vermonters last year and a record 244 the year before. Supporters say the site would also reduce the burden on strained emergency medical workers and offer services to help addicts get into recovery programs.