Friends -
During 2020, more than 2,000 individuals died of a drug overdose in New York City, 85 percent involving opioids.
Each one of those people had a life and a story. Each one precious and important. Each one with family or friends left behind wondering if there was anything they could have done.
This is a crisis that has gotten worse and worse, year after year. And if we’re going to start winning the battle against opioids, we need to start talking honestly about what works to protect the most vulnerable people in our city.
And I will NOT hesitate to do just that.
That is why we announced, just yesterday, the first two Overdose Prevention Centers in New York City — the first in the nation — that will offer safe, clean places where people who use drugs can access clinical care and other services, including the administration of naloxone to prevent overdose. Counselors will also be on-hand that can give people help who want to pursue addiction treatment.
After exhaustive study, we believe this innovative approach is going to make our communities safer AND save lives.
I’d love to know if you agree:
Addiction is not a crime, it is a disease. The criminal activity was done by the drug companies who peddled a product to patients that they knew was addictive all to pad their pockets.
In solidarity,
Bill de Blasio
