New York City Opens First Two Government-Sanctioned Drug Injection Sites in U.S.

Drug overdoses and addiction have hit an all-time high during the pandemic, with the Centers for Disease Control revealing over 93,000 people died from overdoses in 2020, up 30 percent from 2019. As a solution to the crisis, New York City is opening the nation’s first government-sanctioned drug injection sites.

Two injection sites will be opened in Manhattan on Tuesday, giving drug users a controlled environment, as well as offer treatment options. Visitors must bring their own drugs, and the sites will offer clean injection supplies including needles.

The sites will also have naloxone on-site, the emergency drug that reverses narcotics overdoses. Drug addicts know public libraries have naloxone on hand in case of someone overdosing, which has made libraries one of the most popular public places for drug use across the country.

Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio implemented the sites before he leaves office. In a written statement, de Blasio said this unique strategy to combat the drug crisis will prove that “after decades of failure, a smarter approach is possible.” The mayor says he has notified the sites that he would not penalize them or “take enforcement action” and that law enforcement has been told to stand down as well.

New York City health commission Dr. Dave A. Chokshi supports the measures, telling the New York Times “2020, unfortunately, was the deadliest year on record for overdoses both here in New York City as well as nationally. Every four hours, someone dies of a drug overdose in New York City…we feel a deep conviction and also a sense of urgency in opening overdose prevention centers.”

Opponents of government-sanctioned injection sites worry the facilities legitimize, destigmatize and therefore support or encourage drug addiction, rather than sending a message that everything must be done to stop drug use. “While cities like San Francisco and Seattle, both ravaged by substance abuse, have considered opening injection locations, New York City is the first to formally authorize such sites” reports National Review.