The Greater Harlem Coalition firmly supports compassionate intervention and the goal of saving lives. We understand those who use OnPoint's injection site(s) require complex and thoughtful engagement and we support the overarching goals of harm reduction.
Unfortunately, however, OnPoint's Harlem site has repeatedly failed to engage in Community Harm Reduction - a model that approaches addiction treatment holistically within a public health model. Community Harm Reduction not only serves and supports the people who use OnPoint's services, but it also centers the goal of not harming neighboring businesses, neighbors, children, and families.
Community Harm Reduction engages and supports local businesses. Community Harm Reduction works with local businesses to reduce loitering and theft. Community Harm Reduction ensures that children who attend local schools do not repeatedly encounter used syringes, or have to cross the street just to avoid open air drug sales. Additionally, Community Harm Reduction would engage in approaches that support Harlem residents' right to be able to get to the train, walk to the park, welcome their family, and enjoy their streets without fear of encountering drug dealers brazenly selling narcotics.
The open air drug dealing on OnPoint's doorstep that brings dealers and users to our community is unacceptable. We need OnPoint and New York City's Department of Health to acknowledge that Harlem's vibrant and diverse community should be protected and strengthened, and not simply dismissed as their program's unavoidable collateral damage.
