Friend, one year ago today we made history when the first sanctioned overdose prevention centers (OPCs) in the United States opened in New York City. Since then, they’ve saved hundreds of lives and served thousands of people. Staff have reversed more than 600 overdoses and connected participants to a vast range of vital care.
But stats only show part of the story. My colleagues and I visited OnPoint NYC. This is the organization that runs the first recognized OPCs in the country. What I saw painted a clear picture of what’s possible when we invest in an approach to drugs that embraces people’s dignity and wellbeing – without fear, stigma, or criminalization.
We toured the room, a clean and welcoming space where people can use while being monitored for signs of overdose, get their drugs tested, and access whatever sterile equipment they need. This is also a space where staff connect with participants and discuss other available services.
Participants can also receive basic medical care in a clinical setting.
We also shadowed an outreach team. Not everyone who needs support can come to OnPoint’s centers, so staff goes into the community to truly “meet them where they’re at.” Staff handed out naloxone, sterile supplies, and anything else needed (food, sweatpants) out of the outreach van, while sharing how to reverse an overdose and directions to their centers. Other staff cleaned up drug paraphernalia from nearby parks and collected full sharps containers from people returning used syringes, all to be safely disposed of later.
No matter what or where, staff was there with one goal: to offer options without judgment and help people live better lives. As we heard during our visit, “we don’t talk to participants about reducing their drug use. But they talk to us about it every day. And we respond.”
Despite the proof that overdose prevention centers save lives, stigma and drug war thinking blocked these lifesaving solutions from operating for far too long. The federal government still doesn’t allow for them and there are many local obstacles at the state level.
But thanks to your help, we’re showing what’s possible, starting in New York City, and building support for overdose prevention centers more widely. The climbing overdose crisis claimed more than 107,000 lives last year alone. It’s a relief that OPCs are now being taken seriously here. Evidence that they work has always been on our side — this is just the latest proof.
Join us in building support for overdose prevention centers by sharing this email or some of the links below:
With hope,
Toni Smith-Thompson
State Director, New York
Drug Policy Alliance
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