Safehouse

Safehouse has filed brief in appeal to 3d Circuit Court of Appeals. Today, faith leaders supporting Safehouse approach to overdose prevention filed friend-of-court brief, 46 individuals from 18 states joining. Safehouse will save lives. We won’t give up.  safehousephilly.org/us-v-safehouse

In April, US District Court in Philly granted DOJ motion ending 5-year lawsuit vs Safehouse and our efforts to open an Overdose Prevention Center. Last week, we filed Notice of Appeal to 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals. We’re not done yet!

Court rules against Safehouse religious claim in DOJ lawsuit. But we still believe federal law permits us to exercise our beliefs by saving lives. In the five years since we were sued, 6,500 people died of overdose in Philly. Now more than ever, we must push forward. Stay tuned.

Thanks to our friend Dave Humes @Gregs_Dad for the supportive words in his letter to the editor. #loaded" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">inquirer.com/opinion/letter…

We remain concerned that @TheJusticeDept is taking a very narrow reading of the #ReligiousLiberty rights of entities like @SafehousePhilly, which should be protected by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (#RFRA).

@SafehousePhilly asserts their right to open the safe-injection site, invoking the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as part of their claim that @TheJusticeDept is infringing on their religious liberty rights by threatening to prosecute them for violating federal anti-drug laws.

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania heard oral arguments yesterday in a case focused on @TheJusticeDept’s bid to block the establishment of a supervised injection site by @SafehousePhilly, a faith-based non-profit.

“When people begin to see themselves as worthy of care — and to trust that those who are recommending further help will refer them to compassionate professionals — they are more likely to start and stick with a recovery process,” writes @maiasz. Read: nyti.ms/3MOS0A9

On Thursday, Sept. 14, Philadelphia City Council will vote on whether to ban overdose prevention centers. Contact these elected leaders to express your opinion. #_ga=2.204779603.299265252.1694179153-177250834.1694179152" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">phlcouncil.com/#_ga=2.2047796…

Online event 6 pm Tue. 6/20 screening of documentary “Love in the Time of Fentanyl” followed by @SafehousePhilly board member Rev. Erica Poellot @faithinharmred leading conversation including @_OnPointNYC . To reserve your virtual spot, please register at: eventbrite.com/e/642537816907

Thank you to Margaret Lowenstein and Shoshana Aronowitz for their thoughtful opinion piece. inquirer.com/opinion/commen…

Today we announced we will be opening the country's first state-regulated overdose prevention center in 2024. This is the result of many years of hard work by so many on our staff and in the state. We're ready to make history and save more lives. 💜Read: weberrenew.org/advocacy/proje…

Congratulations to our friend @samrivera1111 @onpointnyc for this well-deserved recognition! time.com/collection/100…

An update: Late last month, we agreed to meet with a federal magistrate to expedite resolution and begin saving lives. The Jan. 9 deadline for DOJ to respond is on hold as we pursue this facilitated mediation. More details soon.

Thank you for your thoughtful and articulate piece.

Safehouse wishes everyone a healthy and happy new year. inquirer.com/opinion/commen…

On Monday, in lawsuit filed vs Safehouse 4 yrs ago, U.S. Justice Dept. requested 60 more days “for discussions about a possible amicable resolution to continue.” Safehouse on Tuesday requested response in 14 days. Today judge ordered DOJ to respond by Jan. 9. We are optimistic.

Today in litigation that began w/lawsuit filed vs Safehouse in 2019, U.S. Justice Dept filed a motion requesting 2 more months “for discussions about a possible amicable resolution to continue.”  We’ll file a motion in opposition tomorrow. How long must we wait to save lives?

3/3 this goal. Today DOJ & Safehouse had a status conference w/ U.S. District Judge Gerald A. McHugh. In two weeks, we will know what the DOJ intends to do. Stay tuned.

2/3 overdose crisis requires a national policy that will allow Safehouse & other overdose prevention centers around the country to move forward. In Sept., Safehouse agreed to give Justice Dept. until Dec. 5 to respond to our lawsuit, in light of productive discussions toward >

1/3 Legal wrangling that began when U.S. govt sued Safehouse in Feb. 2019 has blocked a medical intervention that could have averted many of the 1,276 overdose deaths in Philly last yr. That’s 3-4 people we’ve lost each day to preventable overdose death. Saving lives during the >