The Brian Lehrer Show 30 Issues in 30 Days: NYC's Overdose Prevention Centers
Oct 29, 2025
Sam Rivera is the executive director of OnPoint NYC, a nonprofit focused on harm reduction, while Ethan Geringer-Sameth serves as a healthcare reporter covering public health policy, and Gustavo Rivera is a New York State Senator advocating for harm reduction. They discuss the varying positions of mayoral candidates on overdose prevention centers and explore how these facilities can save lives through effective interventions. Listeners share personal experiences, highlighting community concerns and support for the centers amidst political tensions.
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Measured Impact Of Overdose Centers
- OnPoint's overdose prevention centers logged nearly 7,000 registered participants and about 2,000 overdose interventions with zero deaths.
- Sam Rivera says these centers saved over $50 million in four years and recorded over 230,000 utilizations, showing measurable public-health and fiscal impact.
Invite Communities To Tour Centers
- Invite community members to tour overdose prevention centers to see services and reduce fear or misunderstanding.
- Engage neighbors and show program data to address concerns about public safety and sanitation.
Centers Reduce Public Use And Connect To Care
- Critics claim centers enable drug use or increase disorder, but Sam Rivera and cited studies report reductions in open-air use and crime near sites.
- Rivera stresses participants are long-term users and centers focus on immediate safety and connecting people to treatment.