Officials in King County and Seattle in Washington state have put forward a new proposal that is sure to raise eyebrows across the country, but authorities say it is absolutely necessary. As a result of the proposal, the Seattle area would be the home to the first two government-run heroin injection sites in the United States.

Seattle and King County received approval on Friday to move forward with the project. Authorities say that the use of heroin with needles in the University District is out of control, and that it is time to deal with the problem by providing drug users a safe place for their activities.

The two safe consumption sites are modeled after the only one in nearby Vancouver across the border in Canada, which is the only one in North America. The addicts use heroin under the eyes of a nurse and can receive treatment if they want.

It’s a complicated and controversial proposal, however. Heroin is very illegal everywhere, and regional authorities haven’t consulted with the Drug Enforcement Administration or anyone else in the federal government, according to a report from local TV station KOMO. Local authorities don’t feel that they have to.

“Heroin use has increased sharply across the United States among men and women, most age groups, and all income levels,” the CDC says about the heroin epidemic. “Some of the greatest increases occurred in demographic groups with historically low rates of heroin use: women, the privately insured, and people with higher incomes.

“Heroin use has increased sharply across the United States among men and women, most age groups, and all income levels. Some of the greatest increases occurred in demographic groups with historically low rates of heroin use: women, the privately insured, and people with higher incomes.”