Nation’s first state-regulated overdose prevention center to open this summer

PROVIDENCE, R.I (WLNE) — The nation’s first state-regulated overdose prevention center secured a location in Rhode Island.

The overdose prevention center is set to go up at 45 Willard Avenue in Providence, next to the Rhode Island Hospital campus.

“This is an amazing opportunity,” Director of the Governor’s Overdose Task Force Cathy Schultz. “The state of Rhode Island really has been innovative in its approach to the overdose crisis for many, many years. This is another step in combatting our toxic drug supply with evidence-based practices.”

The plan is for the center to open in the summer.

People who buy drugs can go to the site and use them under professional supervision.

Project Weber and a clinical partner will run the site and the Rhode Island Department of Health will regulate it.

There’s no cost to taxpayers, but instead the center is funded by opioid settlement funds.

A spokesperson for Project Weber said staff will make sure people who use the site can test their drugs for Fentanyl and other harmful substances.

There will also be laundry and showers on site.

Advocates said the idea is to prevent overdoses, knowing that Rhode Island lost 434 lives to overdoses in 2022.

ABC 6 also caught up with residents in the neighborhood where the center would open and they said they are concerned about this coming into the community for their children’s safety.

The Providence city council will formally vote on and confirm the location for the overdose prevention center Thursday night at 6 p.m.