These NYC centers allow hard drug use in-house. Nearly 5 years in, is it helping?
An addiction-services nonprofit approved by the city focuses on harm reduction for hard drug users — to the chagrin of some in the neighborhood.
In northern Manhattan, New York City has established two supervised drug use centers known as overdose prevention centers. These facilities allow drug users to inject themselves with new, sterilized needles while under medical supervision. The centers aim to reduce overdose deaths and street drug use, and have seen more than 2,100 overdoses intervened with no fatalities since opening in 2021.
Critics argue the centers attract hard drug users and dealers, causing safety concerns for nearby residents. With amenities including primary medical care, addiction medication, art therapy, and even massage services, the centers claim to improve the quality of life for participants. However, some residents and lawmakers view the centers as enabling addiction, turning users back onto the streets and into subways, and potentially putting innocent bystanders at risk.
Written by urgent.news from CBS News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
