Let’s talk about language. Specifically, let’s talk about how certain media outlets weaponize it. When Brian Passifiume referred to safe injection sites as “shooting galleries” in the Toronto Sun, he didn’t just toss out a flippant metaphor—he trivialized life-saving services, fanned the flames of stigma, and reinforced the damaging narratives that keep people struggling with addiction on the margins of society.
“Safe injection sites” or “consumption and treatment sites” might not sound catchy, but they’re accurately named. These places aren’t chaotic free-for-alls where needles fly like confetti at some dystopian western themed party. They’re controlled, compassionate environments staffed by trained professionals whose purpose is to save lives. These sites are where overdoses are prevented, where people find a moment of safety, support, and connection in a world that often dehumanizes them. Calling them “shooting galleries” reduces all that to an irresponsible caricature, an image of addiction as a spectacle rather than a public health crisis, and trained professionals as carnies.
The problem isn’t just semantics; it’s strategy. Words matter. The term “shooting gallery” is a deliberate choice, a loaded phrase designed to provoke outrage and tap into fears about crime, drugs, and the mythical decline of society. It’s not just insulting to the people who rely on these services—it’s an attack on harm reduction itself. The goal of this kind of language is to turn public opinion against safe injection sites by making them sound dangerous and out of control, as though they’re the cause of addiction rather than a tool to mitigate its worst effects.
And it works. Stigma thrives on this kind of rhetoric. It discourages people from seeking help because they’re afraid of being judged. It makes policymakers wary of supporting harm reduction programs for fear of backlash from an uninformed public. It undermines the tireless work of healthcare professionals who are already fighting an uphill battle against an overdose crisis made worse by the very stigma this language perpetuates. This kind of trivialization is exactly what has deeply entrained the stigmatization of vulnerable populations in the first place!
Here’s the truth the fearmongers don’t want you to know: safe injection sites save lives. Period. They reduce overdose deaths, prevent the spread of diseases like HIV and hepatitis, and connect people to housing, treatment, and other essential emotional, physical, and social supports. They’re not an overnight fix, but this isn’t an overnight problem. They are however, a crucial piece towards solving the puzzle that is the broken system we find ourselves in. And yet, instead of investing in solutions, we’re stuck debating whether these facilities even deserve to exist—all because some people would rather weaponize addiction for clicks than engage in meaningful conversations about recovery and care.
It’s time to hold the media accountable. Harm reduction isn’t chaos. Our lives and the lives of our loved ones are not games and folly. Harm reduction is an essential service. Addiction isn’t a spectacle. It’s a major health crisis. And if we’re serious about saving lives, we need to start with the words we use to talk about it. Let’s stop the stigma : in our headlines, in our conversations, and in our core beliefs.
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