California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday vetoed a bill that would have allowed major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco to set up facilities where people could consume drugs under supervision. In explaining his speech, the Democratic governor said the unlimited number of safe injection sites that SB 57 would allow “could cause a world of unintended consequences.”
FILE: California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a visit to the Chabot Space & Science Center with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on August 12, 2022 in Oakland, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Newsom acknowledged that such facilities would be helpful, but worried that “if done without a strong plan, they could work against that purpose. . . . Exacerbating the challenges of drug use in these areas is not a risk we can take.” “. Advocates wanted to give people who already use drugs a place to inject while trained staff are on hand to help them in case they accidentally overdose. But opponents argued the move would have actually condoned the use of dangerous drugs. MOTHERS WHO LOST CHILDREN TO FENTANYL POISONING DEMAND ACTION ON DRUG CRISIS: ‘THE MOST SERIOUS ISSUE’ FACING State Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat who authored the bill, called Newsom’s veto “tragic” and “a huge missed opportunity.” “Sad day for CA’s fight against overdose deaths,” Wiener said in a statement. San Francisco Mayor London Breed also called Newsom’s veto “disappointing” but vowed “we’re not giving up.” “Overdose prevention programs save lives and help connect people to treatment and services,” he tweeted. WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR YOUTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS ‘EPIDEMAL OVERREACH’ The veto left Republican leaders in the Legislature in the rare position of praising Newsom, a Democrat. “People struggling with addiction need help, not a legal place to shoot up,” said Senate GOP Leader Scott Wilk, whose members had requested the veto in a letter to Newsom. “We must stop allowing criminal acts,” added Republican Assembly Leader James Gallagher, who sent his own letter. “Instead, we should promote policies that empower people to safely get off the streets and reintegrate into our communities.” FATHER OF SON LOST TO FENTANIL: ‘UNBELIEVABLE’ ILLEGAL DRUG SEIZES AROUND THE SOUTHERN BORDER Tracy McCray, president of the San Francisco Police Officers Association, also praised Newsom for blocking what she said would be “sanctioned drug dens … creating misery and chaos for residents and businesses forced to be next to these locations ». SB 57 has been one of the most popular and controversial measures of this legislative session. The proposal came amid a rise in overdose deaths amid a national opioid crisis. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) speaks to reporters after meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., at the U.S. Capitol, Friday, July 15, 2022. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Newsom previously said he was open to the idea. But his decision comes as he faces heightened national scrutiny as he is seen as a possible presidential contender, although he has often denied any interest in running. Newsom ordered his Health and Human Services secretary to meet with city and county officials to discuss standards and best practices, and said he remains open to the idea once they come back to lawmakers with recommendations on how the sites could operate safely. . CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Nationally, drug overdose deaths rose 28.5% to more than 100,000 during the 12-month period ending in April 2021 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. USA, including about 10,000 Californians. The Associated Press contributed to this.