With Starbucks ending its open-door policy, experts examine the potential health fallout
Key Takeaways
Industry Insights
“There is a need for homeless shelters, public restrooms, and safe injection sites. These should be dedicated facilities run by nonprofit organizations.” — Jared L. Ross, MD, an emergency physician
“Cities could establish well-maintained public restrooms that are open 24/7 and staffed by attendants trained in harm reduction.” — Joshua Sprung, LCSW, Executive Regional Clinical Director at Southeast Addiction Center
For a long time, Starbucks offered an “open-door” bathroom policy, marketed as a symbol of inclusivity. But those days are over. The coffee giant is now requiring customers to buy an item if they want to use the restroom—or if they want to hang out or warm up in the store.[] Also banned? Free water cups, vaping and drinking alcohol in the store. The sharp shift in policy follows a decline in the chain’s profits.
As public bathrooms continue to close, Starbucks bathrooms have become refuges for shelter from the weather, safe injection sites, free hydration, and more. This new policy will directly impact the health and well-being of at-risk populations.
@jessicagolich #greenscreen You now HAVE to buy something to use the bathroom or hang at @Starbucks 🤯 #starbucksopendoorpolicy #starbucks #starbucksbathroom #starbucksopendoor #starbucksnewpolicy ♬ Law & Order - Mike Post
“By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone,” Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson said in a statement.[] “These updates are part of a broader set of changes we are making to enhance the cafe experience as we work to get back to Starbucks.”
Starbucks’ decision has opened up a minefield of Internet debates.[] Among them? Where can people go—not on public streets—to inject drugs? Experts think it’s important that safe spaces are provided. Whether or not this is Starbucks’ responsibility is up for debate.
Experts discuss drug use and injections
“Public bathrooms may not be optimal locations for drug preparation and injection, but they are abundant and surpass other public locations (alleyways, parks, etc.), especially in large urban centres such as NYC, in terms of privacy, cleanliness, and accessibility, making them far better options for [persons who inject drugs] when they are experiencing withdrawal (‘dope sickness’) and lack access to a suitable private location,” states an International Journal of Drug Policy study.[]
Not everyone agrees: “Starbucks is a private business and has the right to limit access to [its] restrooms,” says Jared L. Ross, MD, an emergency physician. “There is no medical supervision, and Starbucks restrooms are not safe injection sites.”
That said, Dr. Ross believes that safe places should exist: “There is a need for homeless shelters, public restrooms, and safe injection sites. These should be dedicated facilities run by nonprofit organizations, not a burden that should be placed on private business establishments.”
"Public-private partnerships could also play a role in funding and maintaining these facilities, reducing the burden on any single sector. Importantly, communities must prioritize public education and advocacy to reduce stigma and foster understanding about why these spaces are necessary."
— Joshua Sprung, LCSW, Executive Regional Clinical Director of Southeast Addiction Center
Who is responsible for solving the public restroom problem?
Melissa Legere, LMFT, Clinical Director and Co-founder of California Behavioral Health, agrees with Dr. Ross. Open-access bathrooms for the public—including those experiencing homelessness or addiction—should, she explains, also supply information about nearby resources “for individuals who may need assistance with housing, addiction treatment, or mental health services. This way, in addition to providing a basic need, these facilities can also serve as a gateway for individuals to get the help they may need.”
Joshua Sprung, LCSW, Executive Regional Clinical Director of Southeast Addiction Center, says that communities—including healthcare providers—have to come together to solve the issue of access to safe bathrooms.
“Governments, nonprofits, and private organizations need to collaborate to create long-term solutions, such as safe public restrooms and harm reduction centers,” he says. “Cities could establish well-maintained public restrooms that are open 24/7 and staffed by attendants trained in harm reduction.” Another idea, Sprung says, is for harm reduction centers to offer 24/7 bathroom access: something healthcare providers in these establishments should consider pitching to their team members. Sprung says the issue serves as a reminder that “empathy and systemic solutions are key to tackling such challenges.”