Congressman Adriano Espaillat from Harlem has spoken out against the oversaturation of drug treatment facilities in the neighborhood, with 13 clinics currently in operation. He claims that 75-80% of the patients at these clinics are coming from outside of Harlem, leading to an increase in drug dealers in the area. Espaillat blames the state’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) for poor planning and believes that the current situation is untenable.
The abundance of drug treatment clinics in Harlem has led to an increase in drug dealers in the neighborhood, causing concern among residents and merchants. Espaillat has personally discussed the issue with Governor Hochul but has not seen any significant changes. Merchant groups in Harlem, including the 125th Business Improvement District, are upset about the situation, describing it as a form of “redlining.” They have even objected to a legal pot store opening across from the Apollo Theater.
Espaillat has been vocal about the disproportionate number of OASAS clinics in his district compared to the residents who need them. He believes that this has led to an increase in drug dealers in the area, as well as drug use and overdoses. The congressman has urged OASAS to relocate some of the treatment clinics to ensure more equitable distribution across the city rather than oversaturating predominantly African American and Latino neighborhoods in northern Manhattan.
Espaillat’s district also includes controversial safe drug injection sites, where addicts can use clean needles under medical supervision. However, a report revealed that drug dealers were selling narcotics to patients at these sites. The congressman has witnessed the impact of the fentanyl crisis firsthand, with drug addicts openly using drugs in public spaces. He has seen the damage that drug use can cause to a community, having dealt with the crack epidemic in Washington Heights in the past.
The situation in Harlem has raised concerns about the impact of drug treatment facilities and drug use on the community. Espaillat is calling for a more balanced distribution of treatment clinics across the city to avoid oversaturation in specific neighborhoods. The congressman’s efforts to address this issue have not yet resulted in significant changes from OASAS or Governor Hochul’s office. The oversaturation of clinics in Harlem and the resulting increase in drug dealers and drug use remain a pressing concern for residents and local businesses.
