New York City Bill to Prevent Overdoses in Nightlife Venues

A legislation that aims to reduce opioid overdoses in New York’s nightlife establishments was signed by Mayor Adams yesterday. The new bill will see bars stocked with free Narcan kits – a drug that reverses opioid overdoses – and fentanyl test strips. 

Introduced by council members earlier this year and passed in September, the scheme requires the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to provide bar staff with training on administering the drug. 

In a statement, Mayor Adams said it is time to take action against the overdose crisis. 

“One of our city’s residents loses their life to an overdose every three hours, so it is essential we use every tool in our arsenal to tackle this crisis.”

Also called the Nightlife Antagonist Program, the bill is part of an action plan that seeks to cut down the number of New York’s opioid overdoses. Last year, the city opened the first-in-the-nation overdose prevention centers as the country continuously battles an opioid epidemic. 

According to the same statement, one NYC resident overdoses every three hours. 2021 overdose deaths are yet to be released, but they are expected to surpass 2020 records.