This week, we asked readers their opinion on the City’s needle exchange program and as reported, the three overdose prevention centers (OPCs) located in the South Bronx, run in conjunction with the City’s partner, OnPoint i.e. centers where drug users can connect with outreach workers and safely get high, avoiding unsupervised overdose scenarios.

 

“No, these centers shouldn’t be opened, no. It’s just influencing them to do it more. They’ll keep on doing it. No, it makes them want to do it more and they’re getting it for free too, so what’s the point? No, the outreach program is done in front of children, they shouldn’t do it around kids.”

Sakib Miah,

Parkchester

“Basically, the needle program must be monitored from the beginning to the very end, and all of the refuse, the paraphernalia that can be a health hazard must be totally destroyed. It should be monitored with video and audio and on paper. So that way you have a record, you see what happened, and you can see the results.”

Victor Mastro,

Belmont

“I don’t think this program should be conducted in public where kids can see it and I think it’s wrong. We shouldn’t support drug use. Get off drugs. The centers? It’s a slippery slope. I just don’t feel it should be done in public. I don’t believe they should have tents where they do the exchange. To do the exchange in parks is crazy to me. It shouldn’t be supported in that way. I can’t see supporting people getting high. The kids see it and think it’s okay.”

Robert Collington,

Williamsbridge via Harlem

 

“Well, if it helps the addicts, how many did you say died? I guess it’s better than them dying. I think they should open more centers. Giving them [clean] needles in the parks? Well, they’re doing it in the parks already. I see them in this area shooting here and in Fordham, so I’d have to think about it. Well, they [kids] watch them. I think getting them [users] help would be better but they’re not going to want the help. It’s a slippery slope, but I think it’s for the best.”

Gary Swift,

Williamsbridge

“Yes, I believe there should be more centers because they’re going to do it anyway and rather than them being out here in the park where children are at, let them do it in a center. No, I don’t think the outreach program is a good idea because they may not dispose of the needles correctly and children could pick them up by accident and we don’t want that. The centers are way better.”

Miriam Collazo,

Kingsbridge

 

Read our related coverage on this topic here and here.