Vermont has long prided itself on progressive policies aimed at improving public health and safety. However, one policy has stirred significant debate: the introduction of H72, a bill establishing safe injection sites in Vermont. With the state’s opioid crisis worsening, supporters of this harm-reduction approach argue that it’s a necessary step toward saving lives. But critics, including many local law enforcement and parents, see it as a ticking time bomb, particularly for the communities south of Burlington that are already grappling with the impacts of drug trafficking and related crimes.

The Players: Becca Balint, Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch, and the Democrat Supermajority

Although Becca Balint, Bernie Sanders, and Peter Welch did not directly vote on Vermont’s H72, their unwavering support for progressive harm-reduction policies helped pave the way for legislation like this. As prominent Democrats, all three have consistently advocated for reducing criminal penalties related to drug use, increasing healthcare access for addiction, and pushing for policies aimed at reducing overdose deaths. These ideologies are reflected in Vermont’s current Democratic supermajority in Montpelier, which passed H72 despite significant opposition from GOP lawmakers and concerned citizens.

The bill establishes a safe injection site pilot program in Burlington, a city already struggling with drug-related crime. Supported by the Democrat supermajority, this program will provide supervised spaces where people can use pre-obtained drugs with access to healthcare professionals, drug-checking services, and overdose-reversal medications. Proponents argue that this approach is vital in combating the opioid crisis, as Vermont experienced 243 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2022, a staggering increase from earlier years​ (Vermont Legislature).

However, it’s crucial to note the broader impact of this policy across the state, particularly in municipalities south of Burlington, such as Rutland, Bennington, and Brattleboro. These communities are not immune to the ripple effects of drug trafficking and crime, and many worry the Burlington site will exacerbate existing issues in their towns.

A New Hotspot for Drug Trafficking?

One of the most concerning aspects of H72 is the potential to turn Burlington into a focal point for drug trafficking. Currently, the closest safe injection site is in New York City, nearly 300 miles away. By establishing a site in Burlington, Vermont opens the door for drug traffickers to move product up the state’s highways and into the northern city.

This would put increased pressure on towns along key routes, such as Interstate 89 and Route 7, where drugs are likely to be transported. Southern Vermont towns like Rutland, Bennington, and Brattleboro have already seen spikes in violent crime tied to out-of-state drug traffickers. As drug cartels from places like Mexico and China push fentanyl and other narcotics into New England, Vermont’s relatively lenient drug policies and staffing shortages in law enforcement make the state a prime target​ (Vermont Daily Chronicle​)(Vermont Daily Chronicle).

In fact, between 2019 and 2022, Vermont saw a 23% increase in violent crime, much of it tied to drug trafficking​

Vermont Crime Information Center. Cities like Rutland and Brattleboro have experienced sharp rises in drug-related shootings, homicides, and property crimes, further straining already thinly stretched police departments​ (Vermont Daily Chronicle​)(Vermont Daily Chronicle).

Law Enforcement Struggles in the Wake of Defund the Police

Local law enforcement agencies across Vermont, particularly in smaller towns, have been struggling to cope with the surge in crime. The “defund the police” movement hit Vermont hard, resulting in budget cuts and staffing shortages that leave many departments ill-equipped to deal with the rising tide of drug-related crime. The Vermont State Police reported a 23% vacancy rate in 2023, while Burlington’s police department continues to face similar hiring woes​ (Vermont Daily Chronicle).

This isn’t to place blame on the officers themselves, who are often left trying to enforce laws with inadequate resources. Instead, much of the responsibility lies with activist-driven policies and government actions that have made their jobs increasingly difficult.

The Statute’s Impact on Minors

Another controversial aspect of H72 is its lack of clear age restrictions. Although minors are not explicitly mentioned, the language of the bill doesn’t prohibit them from using the services provided by the safe injection sites. Critics argue this could result in children accessing these facilities, a concern that has yet to be adequately addressed by lawmakers​ (Vermont Legislature​)(Vermont Legislature)

A Key Question: Who Bears the Costs?

At the heart of the debate over H72 lies a fundamental question: Does the benefit of helping those using illegal drugs outweigh the harm caused to innocent, law-abiding citizens throughout Vermont? Is the desire to provide a supervised space for drug users more important than the safety and well-being of the law-abiding residents in municipalities south of Burlington, such as Rutland, Bennington, and Brattleboro, who will inevitably bear the brunt of increased drug trafficking?

For the communities along drug trafficking routes—Rutland, Bennington, and Brattleboro—the answer may seem clear. These towns are already feeling the impact of increased crime, and the prospect of more drugs flowing through their streets, to accommodate users in Burlington, is a serious concern. Law-abiding citizens, who simply want safe neighborhoods for their families, are increasingly at risk as drug-related crime surges, and yet their concerns seem secondary to the policy goals of helping drug users.

As police struggle with limited resources and rising crime rates, many argue that Vermont’s harm-reduction policies are tipping the scales against the very people they are supposed to protect. The innocent citizens, particularly in communities hit hardest by drug trafficking, are paying a steep price for policies designed to help a smaller subset of the population.

A Historical Comparison: 1980-1990 vs. Present Day

To fully understand the scale of Vermont’s drug crisis, it’s helpful to look back at the 1980s and 1990s. During those decades, Vermont’s crime rates, including drug-related offenses, were relatively low. The state had a homicide rate of around 1.5 per 100,000 residents in 1990, and drug overdoses were rare​ (Vermont Crime Information Center).

Today, Burlington alone has a homicide rate of 11.2 per 100,000, driven largely by drug-related violence​ (Vermont Legislature). Overdose deaths have skyrocketed, with 243 opioid-related deaths in 2022, a more than fourfold increase from a decade ago​ (Vermont Legislature​)(State of Vermont). The proliferation of drugs like fentanyl has had devastating effects on communities across the state, including those far south of Burlington, where law enforcement is increasingly overwhelmed by the scale of the problem.

What Lies Ahead for Vermont?

While harm-reduction advocates see H72 as a step forward in addressing the opioid crisis, many Vermonters, particularly those in the southern part of the state, fear the unintended consequences. The bill may draw more drug traffickers into Vermont, exacerbating the crime and addiction problems that are already straining towns like Rutland, Bennington, and Brattleboro. Furthermore, the lack of age restrictions raises serious concerns about children’s exposure to drug use.

As Vermont continues to grapple with these challenges, one thing is clear: the state’s approach to addiction and drug-related crime has evolved dramatically from the 1980s and 1990s. Whether this evolution will lead to meaningful solutions or further problems remains to be seen.

For more information, you can view the full text of H72 here and review the latest crime statistics from the Vermont Crime Information Center.

Dave Soulia | FYIVT

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