Sam Rivera

Elizabeth Benjamin, a health policy advocate and Vice President at the Community Service Society of New York, discusses the ongoing ACA open enrollment, highlighting rising premiums due to subsidy expirations. Sam Rivera, Executive Director of On Point NYC, shares insights into harm reduction and overdose prevention centers in Manhattan, arguing for their expansion based on evidence of reduced crime and lives saved. They also touch on political perspectives surrounding healthcare and community responses, balancing public health with safety concerns.

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.

Exploring the first legal safe injection site in the USA called OnPoint NYC. They discuss the support from city officials, police presence, and the response from the community. They also delve into the root causes of drug use, relapse and harm reduction, expanding services, and promoting nicotine vaping.