Dear Friend,
This week, OnPoint NYC, operator of the only recognized overdose prevention centers (OPCs) in the United States, announced that they have prevented more than 1,000 potentially fatal overdoses in New York City.
As the country battles a devastating overdose crisis, this is evidence that we need OPCs across New York and communities nationwide. For the past 20 months, OnPoint NYC has taken bold and compassionate action to save lives. In addition to averting over 1,000 potentially fatal overdoses, they have also connected thousands to other services and collected, removed, and safely discarded over two million units of drug paraphernalia from public spaces.
As a result of this success, New York has become a model that cities and states across the country, as well as the federal government, are learning from as the nation works to meet the demands of our current crisis. Rhode Island and Minnesota have now allocated funding for overdose prevention centers, and nine additional states have legislation pending.
Momentum is building to open overdose prevention centers coast to coast to help people who use drugs and address the tragic overdose crisis.
New York’s sanctioned overdose prevention centers operate with the support of city and state officials and local law enforcement. But the chance of federal interference means this lifesaving care remains at risk.
New York Governor Hochul has yet to authorize OPCs statewide, which would indicate a show of force to the federal government that states and localities are best positioned to authorize and implement solutions to the overdose crisis.
We applaud the courageous, lifesaving work of OnPoint NYC and are proud to have helped make these OPCs in the U.S. possible. And we will continue to advocate to end barriers to OPCs at the state, local, and federal level.
Watch our video to learn more about how OnPoint NYC helps reduce overdose deaths and connect people to ongoing care.
