Press Statements
August 9, 2023
CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org
NEW YORK STATE MUST ACT: AFTER NYC OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTERS SAVE MORE THAN 1,000 LIVES, IT’S TIME TO AUTHORIZE
See Coverage From City & State of OnPoint’s Life-Saving Work
NEW YORK — Today, a New York Times article was published that underscores the need for Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs) to be authorized by Governor Hochul, both to protect life-saving, existing OnPoint spaces and expand these overdose prevention across New York. In response, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to Jasmine Budnella, VOCAL-NY Director Drug Policy:
“The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of NY’s statement highlights the state’s negligence: New York needs executive action immediately to keep saving lives. OnPoint’s life-saving work has intervened in 1,000 overdoses, and our elected leaders must put politics aside to stop the relentless grief and loss our communities are feeling.
It is unconscionable to allow the nation’s first sanctioned Overdose Prevention Centers to come under increased scrutiny because of political cowardice. There is a clear direction for our state to take, and New York has no other option than to implement every tool — especially OPCs.
Our message to New York State officials and Governor Hochul: Stop using the most vulnerable New Yorkers and their healthcare as political bargaining chips.”
###