CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org NYC’S HOMELESS OUTREACH REMAINS UNCOORDINATED AND FAILS TO CATCH PEOPLE FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS New Coverage in Gothamist Underscores Lack of Coordination, Supply, and Investment into Housing That Meets Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder NEW YORK — A new article from Gothamist’s Karen Yi, which interviews a number of stakeholders
CONTACT:Jasmine Budnella, jasmine@vocal-ny.org FARE EVASION SHOULDN’T BE A DEATH SENTENCE New York City Must Ensure Free and Expanded Fair Fares in this Year’s Budget NEW YORK — In response to Gothamist’s coverage of Hector Sierra passing away in Brooklyn Central booking after being stopped for alleged fare evasion, VOCAL-NY released the following statement attributable to
Fare Evasion Shouldn’t Be a Death Sentence Read More »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, August 14, 2025 CONTACT Jasmine Budnella, jasmine@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO MAYOR ADAMS PLAN TO ADDRESS THE OVERDOSE CRISIS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER NEW YORK, N.Y. — Today, Mayor Adams announced a multi-layered plan with dedicated funding to address substance use disorder. The plan includes multiple evidence-based public health policies to address
The election is over. We don’t need any more campaign ads. We need politicians to deliver. Download the Demands Here
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With an unpredictable drug supply that underscores a surge in preventable overdoses, we urge lawmakers to pass the critical Drug Checking Services Bill (S4880/A7487) to ensure that New York remains proactive and rooted in education, public health, and community care to save lives in the midst of the state’s unrelenting overdose crisis. See Full Letter
Drug Checking Services Bill Sign-On Letter Read More »
CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY APPLAUDS SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE PASSING DRUG CHECKING SERVICES LEGISLATION ALBANY, N.Y. — Today, the Senate Health Committee passed Senator Fernandez’s drug checking services bill (S4880). In response, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to Hiawatha Collins, leader with the Users Union and Board Member at VOCAL-NY: “Unlike the governor –
VOCAL-NY Applauds Senate Health Committee Passing Drug Checking Services Legislation Read More »
CONTACT: Steven Gray, steven@vocal-ny.org, 929-448-7621 VOCAL-NY SLAMS GOVERNOR HOCHUL FOR NOT INVESTING OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO EXPAND LIFE-SAVING OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTERS With Overdose Deaths At An All-Time High In NY, Gov. Hochul Rejects Opioid Settlement Advisory Board’s Recommendation To Expand and Fund Life-Saving OPCs The Two Overdose Prevention Centers In NYC Celebrate Two Years Of
VOCAL-NY Director of Drug Policy Jasmine Budnella makes the case for a state law that would pave the way to more programs checking illicit drugs for unexpected substances, like fentanyl. Listen Here
Capitol Pressroom: Utilizing ‘drug checking’ services to prevent overdoses Read More »
Harm reductionists reacted with exasperation to what is only the latest political attack on these programs in New York. “It’s a disgrace for Republicans and the Post to politicize life-saving strategies as a talking point,” Steven Gray, drug policy campaign coordinator for VOCAL-NY, told Filter. “We’re talking about people’s lives.” Read More
Filter: New York Post’s Latest Attack on Harm Reduction “a Disgrace” Read More »
CONTACT: Jasmine Budnella, jasmine@vocal-ny.org, 720-480-5262 GOVERNOR HOCHUL: DO NOT CLAIM VICTORY ON LEADING THE NATION WITHOUT OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTERS AUTHORIZED AND EXPANDED Gov. Hochul Says NY Leads the Nation in Allocating Nearly $193M in Opioid Settlement Funds – Without Acknowledging Overdose Prevention Centers NEW YORK — Today, the Opioid Settlement Advisory Board released their year two recommendations on how opioid
