Congressman Adriano Espaillat is raising concerns about the oversaturation of drug treatment facilities in Harlem under Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration. He believes that the current situation is out of control, with 13 clinics operating in the area, mainly serving patients from outside of the community. Espaillat claims that the high concentration of treatment centers is also attracting more drug dealers to the neighborhood, creating further issues for the residents. He blames the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports, overseen by Hochul, for the poor planning and lack of consideration for the community’s well-being.
Espaillat has personally discussed the problem with the governor, describing the situation as untenable. Merchant groups, such as the 125th Business Improvement District, are also expressing frustration over the abundance of drug treatment clinics in the area, likening it to a form of “redlining.” Espaillat has urged OASAS to relocate some of the clinics to ensure a more equitable distribution across the city. He believes that northern Manhattan is bearing an unfair burden in providing services for addicts and that the current oversaturation is disproportionately impacting African American and Latino neighborhoods in the area.
The congressman’s concerns stem from the increase in drug dealers in the neighborhood and the rise in drug use and overdoses as a result of the high concentration of treatment clinics. He points out that the disparity in the distribution of these clinics is leading to an influx of treatment-seekers from outside the community to Harlem and East Harlem. Espaillat wants OASAS to address these issues and ensure a more balanced distribution of services to prevent further harm to the residents. He also highlights the impact of the fentanyl crisis, leading to more drug-related incidents in the area and putting the community at risk.
Espaillat’s district includes controversial “safe” drug injection sites, where addicts can use drugs under medical supervision. However, reports have surfaced about drug dealers selling narcotics to patients at these sites, further exacerbating the drug problem in the neighborhood. The congressman has witnessed firsthand the damage that open drug use can cause in a community, having dealt with the crack epidemic in Washington Heights in the past. He is calling for action to address these issues and ensure that the residents of Harlem are not disproportionately affected by the current oversaturation of drug treatment facilities.
The concerns raised by Espaillat highlight the need for better planning and distribution of drug treatment facilities to prevent harm to communities like Harlem. The congressman’s discussions with Hochul and OASAS reflect a growing frustration over the lack of consideration for the well-being of the residents. The oversaturation of treatment clinics is not only attracting more drug dealers to the neighborhood but also contributing to an increase in drug use and overdoses. Espaillat’s advocacy for a more balanced distribution of services is essential to address these issues and protect the community from further harm. OASAS and the governor’s office have yet to provide a response to these concerns, leaving the future of drug treatment in Harlem uncertain.
