New York Opens First Safe Injection Sites in the US
New York City has become the first city in the U.S. to open legally sanctioned supervised injection sites for people who use drugs, as the country grapples with record overdose deaths.
As the first organization in the United States to launch two Overdose Prevention Centers in New York City, OnPoint NYC is dedicated to improving the health, safety, and well-being of marginalized people who use drugs or engage in sex work.
LEARN MOREOnPoint NYC helps communities thrive by reducing instances of public drug use and syringe litter in public spaces, improving public safety and well-being.
REQUEST A CLEAN UP(718) 415-3708Help us improve the health, safety, and well-being of marginalized people who use drugs or engage in sex work.
Make A DonationOur caring medical professionals provide chronic condition management, HIV/Hep C testing, wound care, counseling, and buprenorphine for substance use recovery, addressing health needs caused by housing insecurity and disconnection from primary care.
Our caring medical professionals provide chronic condition management, HIV/Hep C testing, wound care, counseling, and buprenorphine for substance use recovery, addressing health needs caused by housing insecurity and disconnection from primary care.
Our Drop-In Centers are safe, no-barrier spaces with free services like hot meals, hygiene facilities, syringe services, digital connectivity, and peer support, aimed at fostering community, health, and dignity.
In partnership with NYC DOH, we offer on-site drug checking using FTIR spectroscopy and test strips for substances including fentanyl, morphine, cocaine, benzodiazepine, xylazine, ketamine, and methamphetamine. This service, enhanced by lab verification, allows for pre-use testing or post-adverse reaction analysis.
Our garden in East Harlem is a space for staff and participants to relax, reconnect with nature, and celebrate community. It hosts ceremonies, offers holistic services, marks milestones, supports recovery post-overdose, and facilitates shared meals.
Our holistic services honor the pioneering work of the Lincoln Detox movement and Act Up, blending acupuncture, acupressure, aromatherapy, cupping, sound baths, reiki, and meditation.
We provide free individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, screenings, and medication prescriptions, through social workers and psychiatric nurse practitioners, supported by peer-led counseling groups.
Our outreach and public safety teams serve East Harlem, Washington Heights, and the Bronx, providing food, clothing, safer use supplies, and educational materials. We clean up hazardous waste, educate on harm reduction, and operate a public safety hotline for syringe cleanup and public use diversion.
Our Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs) offer safe, supportive spaces staffed by trained professionals to respond immediately to health crises, addressing the overdose epidemic and saving lives.
Our Professional Development Program is geared towards participants and staff looking to further their professional skills. We provide training, computer classes, resume-building, and reentry opportunities, equipping participants and staff with economic mobility and stability tools.
OPC Participants Served since Launch In November 30, 2021
OPC utilizations
units of hazardous waste collected
Overdose Interventions
These numbers are preliminary.
As part of our vital harm reduction work, OnPoint NYC’s team has created a variety of downloadable resources on safer drug use, for distribution in our community and beyond. These accessible guides meet our neighbors where they are, helping people who use drugs make healthier choices and adopt methods that mitigate medical complications and overdose risks. Browse our resources and guides to learn more.
New York City has become the first city in the U.S. to open legally sanctioned supervised injection sites for people who use drugs, as the country grapples with record overdose deaths.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Health Department announced that the first publicly recognized Overdose Prevention Center (OPC) services in the nation have commenced in New York City. OPCs are an extensi
In an attempt to curb a surge in overdose deaths caused by increasingly potent street drugs, New York City authorized two supervised injection sites in Manhattan that began operating on Tuesday.
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Our Washington Heights Drop-In Center is a no-barrier, walk-in space that provides a variety of amenities, including hot meals, coffee, showers, bathrooms, and laundry.
Our Washington Heights Drop-In Center is a no-barrier, walk-in space that provides a variety of amenities, including hot meals, coffee, showers, bathrooms, and laundry.
Our East Harlem Drop-In Center is a no-barrier, walk-in space that provides a variety of amenities, including hot meals, coffee, showers, bathrooms, and laundry.
Our Washington Heights Drop-In Center is a no-barrier, walk-in space that provides a variety of amenities, including hot meals, coffee, showers, bathrooms, and laundry.
"With open arms, we provide a safe, humanizing space, which benefits our people and the community. The community is asking for harm reduction, they just may not know that’s what it’s called.”
Sam Rivera, Executive Director
“If I hadn’t been connected to OnPoint NYC, I wouldn’t be alive today.”
Isabella, Participant
"At OnPoint, people are received with love and without love, there is no harm reduction. If you’re not seeing someone as a full human being, you’re not practicing harm reduction. This is what sets us apart from other organizations and modalities."
Juan, Holistic Services Manager
Through our compassionate and effective approach, we’ve saved over 1,000 lives. With your support, we can save many more.