The Trump administration is being urged to close down two controversial city-approved “protected” injection websites — the place drug addicts can use unlawful medicine like meth, heroin and cocaine underneath supervision.
Republican US Rep. Nicole Malliotakis is asking Trump to step in to shut the government-sponsored facilities in East Harlem and Washington Heights, saying they violate federal legislation.
“These websites not solely allow but additionally perpetuate unlawful drug use,” Malliotakis wrote in a Feb. 11 letter to Lawyer Common Pam Bondi, a replica of which was obtained by The Submit.
The Staten Island congresswoman cited a Third Circuit of Appeals ruling in Philadelphia that concluded it was a federal crime to “open a supervised injection website or ‘consumption room’ for unlawful drug use.”
Malliotakis additionally stated the facilities, operated by OnPoint, triggered a decline within the high quality of life and elevated crime, medicine and homelessness within the space. Neighbors largely agree.
“I need to see it shut down,” stated Monique Jones, who lives throughout the road from the Harlem location. “It’s dangerous for the setting, it’s dangerous for the group.
“We have already got a foul aspect on this group of drug sellers,” Jones, 64, instructed The Submit on Wednesday. “So now it’s handy for them to purchase their medicine after which get excessive. After which after they shut at 8 p.m. they hand around in our foyer and in our staircases.”
Miriam Falcon Lopez, who lives close to the identical location, stated the spot was too near an area faculty.
“In the event you come round noontime, you see it – they congregate round this nook they usually have a sure demeanor the place you may inform they’re on medicine,” Lopez stated.
“They’ve a stiff stroll and a raspy voice, all of them, they usually yell and scream backwards and forwards,” Lopez added. “And after they take their treatment, after they congregate over there, the younger folks that promote medicine right here promote to them.”
The injection websites have been launched in November 2021 by then-Mayor Invoice de Blasio and town Well being Division underneath former President Joe Biden.
In 2023, then-Manhattan US legal professional Damian Williams, warned Mayor Eric Adams’ administration that the 2 websites have been unlawful — however no motion was taken to shutter the services — a reality famous by Malliotakis in her letter.
“I look ahead to working with you and the Division of Justice to implement our legal guidelines, fight the move of unlawful medicine, guarantee these illegally working shelters are shuttered and shield the standard of lifetime of the American folks,” Malliotakis stated.
The Justice Division, Metropolis Corridor and Well being Division had no instant remark.
Neighbors of the Washington Heights location stated they’ve been attempting to get the place closed down because it opened.
“They’re at all times right here,” stated Belgica Cabrea, who was strolling by the placement together with her 9-year-old son. “Attempting to assist drug addicts by giving them medicine will not be serving to. I’ve lived my complete life right here and that is the worst it’s ever been.”
Sandy Sanchez, 38, who owns a magnificence salon close by stated shuttering the websites would get extra customers into dependancy packages.
“They’re at all times right here,” Sanchez, who owns Kiara Magnificence Lounge, stated. “You may get it without cost over right here. You’re not fixing them, you’re making it simpler for them to be addicts. Make it more durable.”
Town Division of Well being defended the websites, saying the facilities present “invaluable group help by way of connections to a spread of companies for neighbors in want.”
“We’ll proceed to put money into and broaden entry to remedy, restoration help, and instruments to mitigate the chance of overdose, whereas guaranteeing assets attain the communities that want them probably the most,” the division stated in an announcement.
Mayor Adams had beforehand expressed help for opening extra areas.
OnPoint, in the meantime, defended this system as a life saver.
“OPCs save lives. At OnPoint NYC, our employees has intervened in over 1,700 overdoses, offering life-saving care to moms, fathers, and family members,” government director Sam Rivera stated Wednesday, calling the work not simply important however “transformational.”
“Each single one in every of them deserves compassion and an opportunity at therapeutic,” Rivera added. “I’m extremely happy with our workforce and frequently impressed by the dedication they present day-after-day… Lives are being saved, hope is being restored, and therapeutic is feasible.”
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