As Vermont battles the devastating impacts of drug addiction, particularly opioids like fentanyl, hardworking and responsible Vermonters find themselves increasingly shouldering the financial and social burden. The state’s harm reduction policies—though intended to save lives—are placing growing pressure on taxpayers already struggling with rising living costs, stagnant wages, and an ever-growing tax burden. Beyond this financial strain, the visible, lenient approach to public drug use is creating a dangerous environment for children, who are witnessing this behavior in public spaces.
The Growing Public Health Crisis
Vermont, like much of the country, is in the grips of a serious opioid crisis. In 2022 alone, the state recorded 263 overdose deaths, with fentanyl accounting for the vast majority. Harm reduction strategies such as needle exchanges and safe injection sites have been implemented to save lives and reduce the spread of disease. However, these policies have come with consequences that many families and residents are now facing directly(Addiction Group).
The Impact on Vermont’s Children
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of Vermont’s increasingly lenient drug policies is the impact on children, who are exposed to open drug use in public spaces. Children are being forced to witness drug consumption, discarded needles, and overdoses in parks, streets, and neighborhoods where they should feel safe. This exposure can normalize dangerous behaviors, fostering an environment in which drug use seems acceptable or inevitable. As one concerned parent put it, “We’re trying to raise our children in a safe community, and yet they are being exposed to the darkest parts of society on a daily basis”(
Vermont Department of Health).
Studies have shown that early exposure to drug use can significantly increase the likelihood of children experimenting with substances later in life. When drug use is visible and seemingly unaddressed, it can send a message to youth that these behaviors are not only tolerated but commonplace. Vermont’s families are questioning whether harm reduction policies are creating an unintended atmosphere of acceptance around drug use, particularly in urban centers(Home | USAFacts).
The Financial Burden on Taxpayers
Vermont’s taxpayers are being asked to shoulder the cost of these harm reduction policies. The state already has one of the highest tax burdens in the country, and the allocation of public funds for programs like safe injection sites—recently funded at over $1.1 million—has only added to this financial strain(Vermont Department of Health). For many residents, these funds could be better spent on projects that serve the broader population, such as education or infrastructure.
Moreover, many taxpayers feel that the money funneled into harm reduction could be better used to strengthen law enforcement and support rehabilitation programs that require personal responsibility and active participation in recovery. Critics argue that these lenient policies allow for continued public drug use without the expectation of meaningful change, leaving Vermonters to pick up the tab.
A Call for Greater Accountability
As more public funds are directed toward harm reduction, Vermonters are increasingly asking for greater accountability in how these resources are used. While saving lives is a critical goal, many residents believe that policies must also include incentives for recovery, not just maintaining the status quo of drug use. Proposals for drug testing as a condition for receiving state assistance have been dismissed by many lawmakers, despite widespread public support for stricter conditions on benefits(Home | USAFacts).
One alternative approach would be to redistribute funding from harm reduction programs to law enforcement. Police officers and other first responders are often on the front lines of the opioid crisis, managing not only overdoses but also the increased criminal activity associated with substance abuse. More support for law enforcement would help them combat drug trafficking and keep public spaces safer, especially for children. Increased law enforcement presence would also act as a deterrent to open drug use in parks, neighborhoods, and other places frequented by families(Vermont Department of Health)(Vermont Department of Health).
Protecting Children and Families
Vermont families are increasingly vocal about their concerns for the safety and well-being of their children. Parents want assurance that their children can play outside, walk to school, and live in communities free from the visible drug use that has become more common with the state’s lenient policies. While harm reduction advocates argue that these strategies reduce deaths, many Vermonters believe that the state’s current approach has gone too far, allowing public safety to deteriorate.
The focus should shift toward recovery and prevention, not enabling further drug use. Programs that promote long-term rehabilitation, offer job training, and encourage individuals to take responsibility for their recovery could make a significant difference. Redistributing some of the resources currently being spent on harm reduction toward community programs for youth would also help curb the cycle of addiction, giving children healthier role models and safer environments in which to grow up.
Conclusion
Vermont’s drug crisis is a complex issue, but the current approach is unsustainable for both the state’s finances and its future. The growing burden on taxpayers, combined with the impact of open drug use on children and families, is forcing many residents to reconsider whether the state’s policies are truly helping or harming their communities. It is time for Vermont’s legislature to focus on greater accountability—shifting funds to law enforcement, protecting children from harmful exposure, and promoting programs that encourage real recovery.
By balancing compassion with accountability, Vermont can better serve both its citizens in need and the hardworking taxpayers who sustain the state. If this balance isn’t found soon, the question will remain: At what cost to Vermont’s children and future are these policies being pursued?
Dave Soulia | FYIVT
You can find FYIVT on YouTube | X(Twitter) | Facebook | Parler (@fyivt)
#fyivt #VermontCommunityFirst #ProtectOurKidsVT #AccountabilityMatters #VermontPublicSafety
Leave a Reply