Supervised drug injection centers are now open in New York City. The Big Apple is the first city in the nation to authorize them. One of these centers is in East Harlem and the other is in Washington Heights. Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi says folks can go there for drug use, overdose reversal medicine and to get help.
“They offer a clean hygienic supervised space for people who use drugs to do so safely while also providing access to treatment and medical care.”
Advocates say the centers will also reduce drug use in the subway and neighborhoods. Critics argue the centers will only encourage more drug use. The opening of the drug overdose prevention centers comes after the city experienced a record high number of overdose deaths last year.