ITHACA, NY (WSKG) - Binghamton-area state Senator Fred Akshar introduced a bill that bans supervised injection sites, like the one under consideration in Ithaca. Now, his proposal has a twin in New York's lower house.
Supervised injection sites are facilities where heroin users can inject their own drugs, while monitored by trained medical personnel. They then can can intervene if there's an overdose, or some other complication. The sites themselves do not provide drugs, but do offer clean needles and other medical equipment.
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis has introduced a companion bill in her chamber. She represents parts of Brooklyn and Staten Island. Her measure would amend existing education and public health laws so it's illegal to “own, operate, work-in or volunteer in” a supervised injection site.
She says Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to open 4 pilot sites in New York City is “a complete disregard” of federal drug laws. Malliotakis ran for mayor against de Blasio in 2017.
The Akshar bill also has support from Senator Tom O’Mara who represents Ithaca.