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New York City aims to have five “safe” drug injection sites operating by 2025, despite the state’s record high in drug overdoses. Mayor Eric Adams proposed adding three facilities to neighbourhoods like the South Bronx, where addicts can use clean needles to inject drugs under medical supervision.
The plan is part of a multi-part strategy to address mental health and rising overdose deaths. The goal is to reduce overdose deaths by 15% in New York City by 2025. The city already has two nonprofit-run centres, but legal barriers prevent them from receiving government funding.
The new plan also includes providing overdose reversal drugs, clean syringes, medication for opioid use disorder, and fentanyl test strips to high-risk areas.
The city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported 2,668 overdose deaths in 2021, compared to 2,103 in 2020.
Fentanyl was found in 80% of drug overdose deaths in New York City in 2021.
The proposed sites have drawn criticism from local officials, including Staten Island’s District Attorney Michael McMahon, who argues that the sites harm addicts instead of promoting recovery.
City Hall will also launch a new telehealth and suicide prevention program for high school students and expand a program that adds more medical professionals to respond to mental health-related emergency calls.
»Mayor Eric Adams proposes adding three facilities to neighbourhoods«
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