Supervised drug consumption site vote
- Kind
- Policy and health systems
Prompt
Your city plans to open a supervised drug consumption site, where people can use drugs they bring with them under the supervision of nurses who can respond to an overdose. Public health officials say the site will prevent overdose deaths. Residents of the neighborhood where it will open are protesting, saying it will attract crime and send the wrong message to children at a nearby school. As a member of city council, would you vote for or against the site? Explain your reasoning.
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After you practice: what this question tests and how to approach it
What this question tests
- Health systems and advocacy
- Critical thinking
- Empathy and compassion
How to approach this question
This MMI station tests whether you can weigh public health evidence on harm reduction against a neighborhood's fears, and decide as a council member who represents everyone involved. Name the stakeholders: people living with addiction and their families, residents and parents near the school, staff at the site, and the wider city. Separate the claims you'd want evidence for, such as whether the site saves lives and whether crime rises nearby, and say how you'd find out rather than guessing. Consider conditions that could address concerns, like the site's location, security, and a public review after a set period. Then cast a clear vote and explain it. When you speak with someone who has lost a child, lead with listening and acknowledge their grief before explaining your reasoning, without dismissing their view.
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