Smoking Kit Vending Machines Hit New York

Usually vending machines dispense soda, snacks or candy bars. New York City is getting a new vending machine and it's leaving people confused. Some are claiming that these machines will save lives while others are criticizing the idea of supplying people with drug paraphernalia.

New York State like many others is state in the country is battling a serious drug crisis. New York City experienced an unprecedented amount of overdosed in 2021. That year approximately 150,000 naloxone kits were used and sadly over 2,500 people died of a drug overdose in New York City alone. Many New Yorkers have friends or family who has been affected by an opioid addiction.

New York City has been particularly affected by drug addiction. New York health officials are trying any measure they can to help treat and prevent overdoses. Brooklyn just received a Public Health Vending Machine. According to ABC New York, supplies to smoke or snort drugs, fentanyl testing strips and Naloxone which is used to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. These machines may save lives but critics believed they will also encourage addicts.

What do you think? How would you feel about seeing these pop up in Hudson Valley cities?