NEW YORK – On Wednesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed Intro 56, a law aimed at reducing fatal overdoses by providing free kits of Narcan naloxone to New York City nightclubs to administer in the event of an overdose from opiates.
With the implementation of this legislation, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will strengthen its partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and conduct regular overdose response training for locals. night to ensure that participating personnel are equipped to respond to potential overdoses on site.
This bill is part of a broader strategy the city is pursuing to reduce opioid overdoses, including launching the nation’s first overdose prevention centers.
“The overdose crisis has caused our city pain and distress for too long, so now is the time to act,” said Mayor Adams. “One of the residents of our city dies of an overdose every three hours, so it is essential to use all the tools in our arsenal to deal with this crisis. By providing Narcan kits to New York nightclubs and educating staff on how to use them in the event of an overdose, we will save lives and build a healthier and safer city for all. We’ve lost too many New Yorkers to overdoses and too many families and communities have been destroyed, and while this law won’t bring back those we’ve lost, if it can save even one life, it’s worth it. “
New York City Seeks Addressing Overdose Crisis with First National Overdose Prevention Centers, Overdose Awareness Campaigns, Expanded Access to Fentanyl Test Strips, Increased Syringe Service Outreach and Reception Center Operations, and a project drug screening pilot that uses spectrometer technology to identify the presence of a wide range of substances, including fentanyl, in drug samples brought by program participants.
“The stark reality is that fentanyl is in the drug supply and is present in heroin and other drugs, such as cocaine,” said Dr. Ashwin Vasan, commissioner of DOHMH. “This means that the person using them may not foresee the presence of opioids and those around them may not be prepared to respond to an opioid overdose. Having people around who can respond, including our nightlife partners, can save lives. Plus, it’s a message: As New Yorkers, we care for each other and we care. “
