New York City officials in health Recently publishedA Public Health Vending Machine Initiative was established to install ten vending machine with life-saving anti-overdose medications.
“The purpose of this RFP is to support low-barrier access to overdose prevention and harm reduction supplies,”They noted.
Additionally to naloxone the vending machines will have sterile Syringes and other safety supplies like safe-sex items and toiletries.
They will be available in all five boroughs as well as in those areas most affected by drug overdoses.
“Overdose deaths in New York City are not equally distributed citywide, with some groups and neighborhoods disproportionately experiencing increases in the rate of overdose death,”They stated.
“During the 2 previous three years, overdose rates among White New Yorkers decreased; however, rates increased among Black New Yorkers during the past year and rates among Latinx New Yorkers have increased for five consecutive years,”They noted. “Structural racism in drug policy and enforcement has been linked to decreased access to services, poorer health outcomes, and increased overdose risk.”
So far, priority neighborhoods for placement include East New York, Crotona-Tremont, Highbridge-Morrisania, Hunts Point-Mott Haven, Fordham- Bronx Park, Pelham-Throgs Neck, Central Harlem, East Harlem Union Square, Rockaway, Stapleton-St George, and South Beach-Tottenville.
The proposal also included the statement by the Fund for Public Health in New York, (FPHNY), that they are committed. “improving health outcomes for all New Yorkers by explicitly advancing racial equity and social justice.”
“Racial equity does not mean simply treating everyone equally,”They stated, “but rather, allocating resources and services in such a way that explicitly addresses barriers imposed by structural racism and White privilege so that all people have access to what they need to enjoy full, healthy lives.”
The proposal states that the contract will begin on February 7, 2022 and end on June 30, 2022. The project will cost $730,000 with each program costing between $99,000 and $135,000.