Supervised drug use site points to overdose deaths averted

OnPoint NYC, the pioneering nonprofit that made headlines as the first organization in the nation to openly provide supervised drug consumption services, marked a significant milestone on Thursday as it celebrated its fourth anniversary. Despite facing nearly a year of uncertainty and hostility from the federal government, the organization proudly highlighted its positive impact on the community during a press conference.

At the event, OnPoint’s leadership, along with a state senator and New York City’s acting health commissioner, reaffirmed their commitment to continue offering comprehensive services to individuals who use drugs in New York City. These services include not only supervised consumption but also holistic care such as physical and mental health services, acupuncture, case management, and overdose prevention centers where participants can safely use illegal substances under supervision.

Over the past four years, OnPoint has served nearly 7,000 unique clients and facilitated close to a quarter-million instances of drug use at its facilities. Most notably, the organization has successfully intervened in 1,983 overdoses at its overdose prevention centers, preventing any fatalities on-site. This track record of saving lives has resulted in significant cost savings for the city, estimated at over $55 million in ambulance rides, hospitalizations, and other expenses.

Despite facing challenges from the federal government, including the loss of funding from a grant, OnPoint remains steadfast in its mission to provide essential services to its participants. The organization has received overwhelming support from its partners, funders, and the community to ensure that vital services are maintained and accessible to those in need.

The press conference also served as a platform to highlight the backing of city and state officials for OnPoint’s work. State Senator Gustavo Rivera emphasized pending legislation that would authorize supervised consumption sites statewide, while New York’s acting health commissioner Michelle Morse underscored the importance of evidence-based harm reduction strategies in saving lives.

While the Trump administration has expressed skepticism towards supervised consumption sites, taking aim at organizations with leftist policy agendas, concrete actions in the realm of drug policy have been limited. With key positions within agencies like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration still vacant, the future of harm reduction initiatives like OnPoint remains uncertain.

As the organization forges ahead in its mission to provide compassionate care and support to individuals struggling with substance use, its impact on the community, particularly in reducing overdose deaths among marginalized populations, remains undeniable. OnPoint’s steadfast dedication to harm reduction and public health serves as a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.