Kennedy Strongly Opposes Proposal to Open Safe Injection Site in Connecticut

HARTFORD, CT — On Monday, State Representative Kathy Kennedy (R-119) opposed legislation under consideration in the legislature's the Public Health Committee that would authorize a safe injection site — also referred to as a supervised consumption or overdose prevention center — in the state. The proposal Senate Bill 195 survived a divided committee a vote and now moves to the State Senate for further debate.

“Connecticut should never sanction the use of illegal drugs — especially at a time when families are fighting every day to keep their children safe from addiction,” said Rep. Kennedy. “Opening a government-approved drug consumption site sends exactly the wrong message. It tells our young people that drug use is something the state will manage instead of prevent.”

Last year, nearly 1,000 Connecticut residents died from unintentional drug overdoses, marking the third consecutive year with high fatalities, despite a recent statewide decline. Official data show approximately 982 overdose deaths in 2024, many of which involved fentanyl — a deadly synthetic opioid — and related substances.

“These are real mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends, and neighbors,” Kennedy added. “Every one of these deaths represents heartbreak for a family and a community. We must be honest about the danger drugs pose — especially to our children and young adults — and take every step to prevent use in the first place.”

Rep. Kennedy stressed that while overdose deaths remain a serious public health concern, creating designated locations for the use of illegal substances does not address the underlying causes of addiction and risks normalizing harmful behavior that devastates families.

“As a mother and as a legislator, I cannot support a policy that risks making drug use seem acceptable or inevitable,” Kennedy said. “Our priority must be prevention, education, enforcement, and recovery — not accommodation.”

In communities like Milford and Orange, prevention efforts have shown that community engagement makes a difference. Kennedy pointed to the important work of the Milford Prevention Council, which partners with schools, parents, law enforcement, and local organizations to educate young people about the dangers of substance abuse and promote healthy, drug-free choices.

“The Milford Prevention Council works tirelessly to reach our youth before addiction takes hold,” Kennedy said. “They focus on awareness, early intervention, and equipping families with the tools they need. That’s where our energy and funding should go — stopping drug use before it starts.”

Kennedy emphasized that addiction is a serious physical and mental health challenge requiring compassion and strong public policy. However, she argued compassion must be paired with accountability and a commitment to reducing drug use — not facilitating it.

“We owe it to our children to stand firm,” she said. “The state should be expanding access to treatment, strengthening mental health services, and cracking down on traffickers who poison our communities with fentanyl and other deadly drugs. I will continue to oppose any measure that legitimizes illegal drug use and instead fight for policies that protect families, restore lives, and keep our neighborhoods safe.”