Republican lawmaker urges new attorney general to close NYC heroin sites
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis asked Attorney General Todd Blanche to shut down two Manhattan overdose prevention centers that receive federal money.
In an interview, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis denounced two Manhattan overdose prevention centers, claiming they act as de-facto heroin shooting galleries and attract criminal activity. She wrote to Attorney General Todd Blanche, accusing the nonprofit OnPoint of breaching Title 21, Section 856, which prohibits knowingly maintaining places for drug use. A Justice Department spokesperson said the letter has been received and is under review.
Malliotakis highlighted a 2025 executive order by President Donald Trump that prohibits federal funds for safe-consumption sites, noting a $2 million grant approved under the Biden administration was cancelled. She also introduced a 2025 bill to prohibit federal funding for such centers across the country. Additionally, she criticized New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani for visiting and praising the facilities, arguing they enable addiction rather than provide treatment.
Why it matters
The request could affect federal funding and the future of supervised drug use sites in New York and potentially elsewhere.
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