Maria Caspani

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – On Tuesday in New York City, the first facilities that permit narcotics addicts to inject drugs with trained staff were opened. This move was made in an effort to stem the rise in deaths from overdoses.

Two sites in Upper Manhattan may open soon, according to the city’s health department. These sites are managed by Syringe Services Providers who offer services that include access to injection equipment disposal and retrieval.

Mayor Bill de Blasio declared that Overdose Prevention Centers were a safe, effective and efficient way to deal with the opioid crisis. I’m proud that cities across the country can now see how smarter approaches are possible after years of failure.

According to research, the site promoters claim that it provides safe and clean environments which can save lives as well as curbing addiction.

Melissa Moore, Director of Civil Systems Reform at Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), stated in a statement that “This is an important milestone in the battle to end overdose deaths from New York.” We need innovative and progressive approaches such as Overdose Prevention Centers if we are to save lives, curb criminalization and reduce racial disparities.

The sites are opposed by those who claim they pose a threat to communities because they facilitate drug use.

After two terms in office as mayor, De Blasio will be leaving the post on January 1. He has supported such locations for many years, following an innovative idea that Canada and other nations implemented decades ago. Eric Adams, who is the next mayor, expressed support during his campaign.

The sites allow users to inject drugs under surveillance. They also provide syringes, other supplies, and medications to reverse overdoses.

Overdose deaths in New York City rose to over 2,000 last year. This is the highest level since 2000, when tracking started. According to preliminary data from the city, nearly 600 people were killed in the first quarter 2021. This is the highest number of deaths in one quarter.

The opioid epidemic has decimated millions of lives across the nation. This is despite the fact that it was worsening since the Coronavirus pandemic struck the United States in 2020. According to data from the federal government released earlier in this month, more Americans have died than ever before, with over 100,000 dying of opioid overdoses during the last 12-months.

Because of the widespread availability and mixing of fentanyl with other drugs, there has been an increase in street supply of illegal drugs.

DPA currently lists 10 countries where drug consumption services exist. San Francisco is one of the cities in America that has plans to open injection facilities. However, none of these sites have yet opened.

Structuring supervised consumption services has been hindered by legal barriers both at the state and federal level.

In a request for clarity from the Department of Justice regarding a specific section of U.S. Constitution, a group of mayors addressed a letter earlier in the year to U.S. Assistant Attorney General Merrick Garland. Controlled Substances Act, which states that it is against the law to keep any location for controlled substance use.