City Council Introduces Legislation To Address Overdose Crisis At Rikers : The New Legislation Would Mandate Corrections Officers Carry Life-Saving Narcan and be Trained In Its Usage

USANewsOnline.Com Desk, New York, NY: Today, Council Member Shahana Hanif introduced new legislation in City Hall to address the increasing number of overdose deaths in the City’s correctional system. Intro 1035 would mandate that all Department of Correction (DOC) officers carry Narcan, the drug used to reverse an opioid overdose, be trained in how to administer it when needed, and legally mandate their intervention if they find someone experiencing an overdose. The bill also requires DOC to offer training to people who are incarcerated. This new legislation comes as overdose deaths, especially involving fentanyl, have skyrocketed in the City’s jail system in recent years. Between 2017 and 2020, there was only a single overdose death in the DOC, but there have been at least nine since the start of 2021.

“To say Rikers is in crisis is an understatement. From chronic absenteeism among staff to rising overdose deaths, the Council needs to step up and mandate real protections for the thousands of people incarcerated at Rikers,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “Intro 1035, would put life-saving medication in the hands of every single Corrections Officer and mandate they use it if they encounter someone experiencing an overdose. As we move towards closing Rikers, we need to ensure the people currently residing there live to see it be shut down.”
Currently, only a limited number of staff are trained to use the on-site supply of Naloxone. Additionally, officers aren’t currently required to give the drug to overdosing detainees, resulting in incidents in which detainees must take it upon themselves to request a Naloxone kit from an officer to try to save each other. The Council Member’s bill would ensure more widespread availability of Narcan, and other opioid antagonists. This is especially important because while Narcan is easy to administer and can easily reverse the effects of an overdose, it must be done quickly. The time it takes to bring in trained staff could be the difference between life and death for someone experiencing an overdose.
“It’s critical for Department of Correction officers to have Narcan, a life-saving medication to reverse opioid overdose, on hand in our City’s jails to protect people,” said Tina Luongo, Chief Attorney of the Criminal Defense Practice at The Legal Aid Society. “The Legal Aid Society lauds Council Member Hanif for introducing this legislation and we look forward to working with the full Council to see its passage into law.”
Council Member Hanif’s legislation follows what was the deadliest year in Rikers’ history, as pressure from the pandemic exacerbated the tense situation in the DOC system. While many deaths can be attributed to a lack of staffing, several people died at Rikers from what can only be described as negligence. In the summer of 2022, Elijah Muhammad was found lying in his cell nearly two hours after dying from an overdose. This is one of the countless stories underscoring the dire situation people incarcerated in the City’s jail system face and just how critical it is to pass Intro 1035.
“When it comes to an overdose, Narcan is the difference between life and death. The more people who know how to use it and have access to it means more lives will be saved. Since 2021, there has been a spike in fatal drug overdoses on Rikers and we need to ensure that this life saving medication is readily available on the island. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of Council Member Hanif’s Intro 1035 and look forward to seeing this bill passed so more New Yorkers’ lives can be saved,” said Council Member Chi Ossé.
“It is critical that we protect all New Yorkers from opioid overdoses, especially those housed on Rikers Island where the number of fatal drug overdoses has been on the rise. Expanded access to Narcan on Rikers will save lives. I am proud to co-sponsor this critical piece of legislation, and applaud Councilwoman Hanif for leading with humanity,” said Council Member Mercedes Narcisse
“Brooklyn Defender Services is grateful to Council Member Hanif for introducing legislation that will expand access to and training on naloxone in city jails, and we urge the Council to pass this simple, effective measure that will save lives,” said Lucas Marquez, Director of Civil Rights and Law Reform at Brooklyn Defender Services. “For those incarcerated in our city jails, harm reduction strategies and access to substance use treatment is critical as the inhumane conditions in jails only exacerbate substance use and mental health issues. Ultimately, the best way for the city to prevent drug overdose and death in its jails is to divert people from incarceration and the criminal legal system altogether.”
“The City of New York should do everything it can to prevent the death of individuals that are in our correctional system. With this new legislation Department of Corrections staff will be given the essential training and mandate to administer Narcan to those experiencing an overdose while in custody. The overdose crisis is a significant public health problem that requires multifaceted approaches, and providing life-saving medication to correctional officers is an important step towards saving lives and reducing the harm caused by substance abuse. I am proud to stand with my colleagues as a co-sponsor of this important piece of legislation and want to thank a council member Hanif’s leadership on this issue,” said Council Member Eric Bottcher Press Release.