While there is no doubt that opioids have reached epidemic levels, safe injection sites, such as the ones proposed in San Francisco, are not the right solution (“The first step to treatment is staying alive,’’ Editorial, Feb. 11).

While it is true that there have been no fatalities out of more than 5,900 overdoses at the facility in Sydney, this approach has not been shown to decrease overdose fatalities in the community. Actually, it may be doing the opposite.

A 2003 analysis of the Sydney safe injection site found that overdose rates reported by the facility were higher than rates reported among heroin users generally. Therefore, it is plausible that safe injection sites give users feelings of security, enabling them to inject higher doses and display riskier drug behavior.

Individuals at these sites use opioids under the protection of medical staff and life-saving medications. While these measures save lives at facilities, they also cause users to mitigate risks associated with drug use. Furthermore, keep in mind that even among those who frequently use safe injection sites, not all drug use takes place at these facilities. Thus, those who use the sites are developing high-risk behavior and injecting higher opioid doses, and are bringing these practices home. Therefore, safe injection sites may not be preventing overdoses, but rather enabling them.

Pranay Nuvvala

Richmond, Va.