Last week, another study was released that concluded a supervised injection site would be a “fiscally responsible harm reduction strategy” to prevent the spread of HIV and Hep C.

Once again, without apology, we are going to make our position clear. No.

It comes down to a basic fundamental difference we have with the proponents of supervised injection sites.

We simply believe programs should be in place that have a proven measure of success in helping addicts get off drugs.

Some readers might be surprised we have compassion for addicts. (Yes, Virginia, there really is such a thing as a compassionate conservative.)

Our compassion comes from two motivations.

First, why would anyone want to see another human being suffer with addiction, the type of addiction that leaves you homeless, penniless, estranged from family, unable to cope with daily life?

Secondly, society only gets better when all of us are capable of making positive contributions to that society. We’re not delusional. We don’t believe a utopia exists out there. But when everyone is contributing in a positive manner, then great things have a chance of happening for the individual and the rest of us.

So if you can take the addicts, get them some help, give them some skills, the individual and society stands to be better off.

Oh, but what about the cost? Isn’t that nanny-state thinking to provide social programs for addicts?

No. The cost of rehabilitating one addict and turning them into a contributing member of society, we believe, is far less than allowing the addict to continue with their negative lifestyle that contributes nothing to their own well being or to society’s. Proponents of supervised injection sites are not concerned if they are in your backyard. And we don’t believe they have made the case that they can get people off drugs.

When they make their arguments for injection sites, they talk about the reduced spread of HIV and Hep C. They talk about fewer deaths from drug overdoses. But we’ve seen little evidence about how many people they get off drugs. And shouldn’t that be the measure of success? Get people off drugs and you do a lot to address those other issues.

That’s why for every study that says an injection site is needed, you will read an editorial as to why we don’t want one.

We just don’t believe it’s the answer to getting people off drugs.