First 2 Months of Operation at First Publicly Recognized Overdose Prevention Centers in U.S.

In New York City (NYC), there were 2062 overdose fatalities in 2020, the deadliest year on record for NYC and the US. Fentanyl and its analogs were the most common substances involved in overdose deaths in NYC, present in 77% of such deaths in 2020. A characteristic of fentanyl-involved overdose is rapid onset of overdose symptoms; however, with timely administration of oxygen or naloxone, deaths can be averted. 

In response to unprecedented numbers of overdose deaths, on November 30, 2021, NYC implemented overdose prevention center (OPC) services at 2 syringe service programs operated by OnPoint NYC. Also known as supervised consumption sites, OPCs are health care facilities that aim to improve individual and community health, increase public safety, and reduce consequences of drug use, including overdose deaths, public drug use, and syringe litter. Operating in more than 10 countries, OPCs offer supervised, hygienic spaces in which people can use pre-obtained drugs and access services, onsite or by referral, to health and mental health care, drug treatment, and other social supports. While previous research documented operations at an underground US OPC, use of sanctioned sites has not yet been studied, to our knowledge. This study describes the first 2 months of operation and use at the first 2 publicly recognized US OPCs.