NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Mayor Eric Adams' administration plans to invest in overdose devices to be installed in apartments to help drug users in need and prevent overdose-related deaths, according to reports.
The city Health Department plans to enter into a contract with Lifeguard Digital Health, Inc. for their product, Lifeguard Lite. This device is a wall-mounted physical timer that residents can activate for self-monitoring of drug use.
However, critics argue that this taxpayer-funded reform may encourage substance abuse, according to the New York Post.
The rate of overdose death increased to 43.3 per 100,000 NYC residents in 2022, from 38.5 per 100,000 in 2021, according to City data.
The device allows a resident to set a timer for up to six minutes before injecting drugs. When the timer goes off, the resident can either extend it one minute at a time or choose to deactivate it by pressing the “I’m OK” button.
If there's no response, the device emits a loud alarm and alerts building staff to check on the resident. If the alarm isn't turned off after checking, the device automatically dials 911, in which city medics respond to a potential overdose and administer naloxone, according to the report.
1010 WINS has reached out to the Health Department to confirm reports that the device will be used on a trial basis with drug users who are at high risk of a fatal overdose.
In 2022, 3,026 New Yorkers died from a drug overdose, marking a 12% rise from 2021 (2,696 deaths) and the highest number recorded since 2000, according to city data.
Fentanyl was the most common substance involved, found in 81% of overdose deaths in 2022, while cocaine was present in 53% of overdose deaths.
“Our focus at the Department of Health is to save lives,” a Health Department spokesman told the New York Post. “The Administration has committed to exploring innovative tools – like this pilot program – to reduce the number of overdose deaths in New York City by 25 percent by 2030.”
“Lifeguard Lite has been installed in supportive housing units in other jurisdictions and has proven to successfully avert overdose deaths by ensuring that this simple life-saving intervention can be delivered in a timely manner.”
The controversial monitoring program has been attributed to preventing over 1,000 overdoses.
“Over two years of overdose prevention testing and feedback has resulted in this life-saving tool that includes additional health and safety features for people living in social housing environments,” the Lifeguard Lite website states.