Philly’s supervised drug injection site moves forward

A judge's ruling that opening a place where people could use illegal drugs under medical supervision would not violate federal law could set a nationwide precedent.

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Supervised injection site supporters in Philadelphia rallied outside a federal hearing to determine if the proposed Safehouse would violate the federal Controlled Substances Act

In this file photo, supervised injection site supporters in Philadelphia rallied outside a federal hearing to determine if the proposed Safehouse would violate the federal Controlled Substances Act. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

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A federal judge recently ruled that opening a place where people could use illegal drugs under the watch of doctors and nurses does not violate federal law. WHYY health reporter Nina Feldman explains why that controversial decision could pave the way for the nation’s first supervised injection site.

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