Tell Gov. Hochul to authorize overdose prevention centers

Overdose continues to kill New Yorkers at alarming rates, claiming more lives than car accidents, suicides, and homicides combined. It doesn’t have to be this way.

We need to build on our advocacy that led to the nation’s first sanctioned overdose prevention centers (OPCs) in New York City which have already saved more than 600 lives since opening last November. Unfortunately, because OPCs are awaiting state authorization, this lifesaving approach remains unavailable to the vast majority of people who need it.

That’s why we’ve been pushing the Governor to authorize overdose prevention centers to open across the state. Please join us by urging Gov. Hochul to take executive action to authorize OPCs immediately.

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Your Message

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Dear Governor Hochul,

Message Body

I am your constituent and I urge you to authorize Overdose Prevention Centers immediately.

As part of your commitment to prevent overdose deaths you have taken action to expand access to treatment and remove barriers to care, but a proven lifesaving approach, Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs), remain excluded from your actions.

Over 6,100 of New Yorkers died from a preventable overdose in 2021 alone — the second consecutive year of the highest recorded deaths in New York State history. For the past 8 years, overdose has remained the leading cause of death for homeless New Yorkers living in New York City. Everyday, sixteen New Yorkers die from an overdose across New York State. Black New Yorkers’ overdose rates have increased five-fold since the beginning of the pandemic, and Latino rates have quadrupled.

Because you have yet to authorize OPCs, this lifesaving approach remains unavailable to the vast majority of people who need it.  We can’t afford to delay! Please lead and show the entire country that New York is – and has been – a beacon of harm reduction.  Anything less than your immediate executive action to authorize and expand OPCs will inevitably result in more New Yorkers needlessly dying from preventable overdoses.

Please authorize overdose prevention centers immediately. Thank you.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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