The doors quietly opened in December, but now, the United States’ first state-sanctioned overdose prevention center (OPC) is officially in operation. Tucked away in Providence, Rhode Island, this site is more than just a safe space—it’s a test case for an entire country wrestling with a relentless overdose crisis. Advocates say they already know what the data will show: lives will be saved.
A Hard-Fought Victory for Harm Reduction
Rhode Island’s OPC, run by harm reduction group Project Weber/RENEW (PWR) alongside clinical partner VICTA, is the result of years of advocacy. It’s not just a place where people can use drugs under supervision; it also houses a drop-in center and offers substance use treatment services.
Ashley Perry, PWR’s deputy director and OPC co-director, knows what’s at stake. “This is going to be an experiment for a lot of people, to see if it’s going to work—which we know it will,” she told Filter.
Getting here wasn’t easy. Laws had to change, minds had to shift, and the stigma around harm reduction had to be chipped away. But a coalition of harm reductionists, people in recovery, and those who lost loved ones to overdoses refused to back down. Their advocacy led to Rhode Island passing the country’s first state law permitting an OPC in 2021.
What Happens Inside the Center?
The overdose prevention center operates with clear goals: prevent fatal overdoses, connect people to services, and provide a safer environment for drug use. Visitors bring their own substances, and trained staff monitor them to intervene if needed.
- Supervision: Staff are equipped with naloxone and oxygen to reverse overdoses.
- Support Services: The center provides access to healthcare, housing assistance, and counseling.
- Safer Use Supplies: Clean syringes, fentanyl test strips, and other harm reduction tools are available.
One thing the center does not do? Supply drugs. It’s a common misconception. Instead, it meets people where they are, without judgment.
The Data Is Clear—But Politics Loom Large
Overdose prevention centers aren’t a new concept. Similar sites operate in Canada, Australia, and several European countries. Research from these locations consistently shows fewer overdose deaths, lower HIV and hepatitis C transmission rates, and increased access to treatment.
Rhode Island is hoping for the same. But in the U.S., where drug policy remains highly politicized, resistance is strong. In 2021, New York City opened two unsanctioned OPCs. Within a year, they reversed over 630 overdoses. Yet, the federal government hasn’t embraced the model. The Department of Justice is still weighing whether these centers violate federal law.
Rhode Island’s approach is different—it’s the first to go through official state approval. That makes this site a critical test case for other states considering similar measures.
Who Supports and Opposes the Center?
The OPC has strong backing from harm reductionists, medical professionals, and families affected by overdose deaths. They argue that these centers provide immediate, life-saving intervention. The American Medical Association has even endorsed OPCs as an evidence-based strategy.
But opponents—often law enforcement groups and some elected officials—worry about enabling drug use. They argue that the focus should be on getting people into treatment rather than providing supervised spaces for drug use.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha expressed concerns about legal gray areas, while local law enforcement has taken a cautious stance. Still, the state legislature moved forward, recognizing that traditional approaches weren’t working.
Will Other States Follow?
The eyes of the nation are on Providence. If this OPC proves successful, it could pave the way for others. Several states, including California, Massachusetts, and Colorado, have debated similar measures. Some cities have even explored opening OPCs without state approval.
This small center in Rhode Island isn’t just about harm reduction—it’s about changing the conversation. Will this be the moment when the U.S. finally shifts its drug policy toward saving lives rather than punishing people?
For now, the staff at Project Weber/RENEW aren’t waiting for political debates to end. They’re doing what they set out to do: keeping people alive.
