Intro 0056-2022 passes at the Stated Meeting of the City Council on Thursday, September 14. Chi Ossé is the youngest person to ever pass a bill in the New York City Council. 

New York, NY: Thursday, September 14, Council Member Chi Ossé, Council Member Keith Powers’ bill, Intro 0056-2022, passes at today’s Stated Meeting. Under this bill, the Narcan Behind Every Bar program, which provides Narcan for free to nightlife venues across the city, is codified into law. Codifying a program into law ensures permanency of the program and ensures that there will be a budget allocated for it. 

COVID combined with the rising prevalence of fentanyl led to over 100,000 Americans losing their lives to drug overdoses from May 2020 to April 2021, up almost 30% from the previous year. The overdose crisis has become one of the most pressing issues of our time. This steep rise holds true in New York City, with overdose deaths more common than ever — 30.5 per 100,000 NYC residents losing their lives to overdoses in 2020 compared with 21.9 in 2019. Opioid overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S.

Narcan is an opioid overdose reversal medication that can be used by non-medical professionals, as long as instructions for use are followed. It temporarily reverses the effects of opioids, and has no effect in people who are not taking opioids. 

Fentanyl test strips have the potential to stop an overdose before it happens by identifying the presence of fentanyl in a substance including injectable drugs, powders, and pills. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is about 50 times as potent as heroin. Dealers often cut it into their supply to lower costs, not letting users know that their supply is tainted. Overdose deaths involving fentanyl have quadrupled in recent years.

“This is an overdue measure that will, simply, save lives,” said Council Member Chi Ossé, Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs. “Each overdose death is a preventable tragedy; we do not accept them here in New York City. I am proud to partner with Council Member Powers in this necessary bill and thrilled to see it become law. New York City became safer today.”

“As overdose deaths hit historic highs in New York City, we must take immediate action to prevent any more tragedies,” said Council Majority Leader Keith Powers. “I’m proud to have partnered with Council Member Ossé on essential legislation that will give New Yorkers’ the tools to protect against overdose. I strongly urge my Council colleagues to pass this bill so we can start saving lives.”

“In New York City, we now lose somebody to an accidental overdose death every four hours,” said Ann-Marie Foster, President and CEO of Phoenix Houses of New York and Long Island. “We lose more people to overdoses than homicide, suicide, and car crashes combined. We won’t beat this massive crisis without including a harm reduction approach, which is why Phoenix Houses of NY/LI has supported and advocated for this historic bill. We’re thrilled to see it pass. Providing Narcan and fentanyl test strips to venues where people are more likely to use substances will save lives, plain and simple.” 

“Opioid overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S., which means making lifesaving overdose prevention and reversal tools widely available is as important as CPR training,” said Shaun Willis, Director of Recovery Services at Phoenix Houses’ Brooklyn Community Recovery Center. “This is how everyday people can save lives, and we need these tools for free and confidential use in as many places as possible. I’m proud to support this bill and provide training in how to use these tools.”

“Overdose deaths plague our society and that’s why it’s critically important to invest in harm reduction at our city’s social spaces, like bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. By giving the opioid antagonist Narcan to nightlife establishments and providing their employees with training to administer the medication, we can save lives, just like CPR kits can save lives. We praise Council Members Ossé and Powers for their leadership in passing this impactful legislation in the City Council and thank all the bill’s supporters. We encourage Mayor Adams to sign the bill into law, and look forward to working with the Department of Health and Office of Nightlife to support the program,” said Andrew Rigie, executive director, NYC Hospitality Alliance. 

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