PBS Thirteen: What Happens at a Safe Injection Site, or Overdose Prevention Center?

OnPoint NYC is the first and currently only officially sanctioned overdose prevention center (OPC) in the United States. Its two locations, in East Harlem and Washington Heights, are safe injection sites. Approximately 3,200 registered participants can bring their illegal drugs in for testing to find out what substances are in them, and at the same site, use clean needle supplies to inject themselves.

Reporter Christopher Booker takes us to the work areas of Yarelix Estrada, a staff drug tester, and Race Samuelson, who observes people after they take their drugs for signs of overdose and to administer aid if needed. According to Executive Director Sam Rivera, there have been zero deaths at the center since it opened in November 2021 with the approval of then New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.