In January, Truth Pharm kicked off our advocacy year by participating in a rally at the State Capitol during Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address, where we called for overdose prevention programs to be implemented in NYS and for funds to be allocated to address the opioid epidemic. Fifteen anti-overdose activists, with members from Truth Pharm, Housing Works Inc., New York Recovery Alliance, and others, were arrested in an act of civil disobedience that demanded action from Governor Hochul. Many activists spoke out about the refusal to authorize overdose prevention programs and called upon the Governor to declare a state of emergency.
Overdose prevention programs are established with the intention of reducing overdose fatalities among people who use substances, providing this population with safe use supplies, and connecting people to ongoing care and resources. Trained staff are present while people use substances in order to intervene in the event of an overdose, and evidence has shown that OPCs have effectively reduced overdose fatalities, improve public safety, and even refer participants to voluntary treatment. As of right now, there are only two OPCs operating in New York State as pilot programs through OnPoint NYC, in East Harlem and Washington Heights. Although there is a high demand for these programs as overdose deaths continue to rise, there is vast inaccessibility and they remain illegal under federal law. OPCs have the potential to curb the overdose epidemic and prevent avoidable losses in our communities. These systems aid in the gradual process and act as a safe space. The call for a state of emergency not only urges the state to recognize this grave issue, but it also allows for OPCs to be authorized statewide by Governor Hochul without having to contact and be approved by the Senate and Assembly Vote.
Additionally, activists demanded the allocation of ten million dollars to the State Department Health’s Office of Drug User Health to supply more organizations with the resources necessary to continue saving lives.