Substance Use & Harm Reduction Program 

Empowering Communities. Saving Lives. Supporting Without Judgment.
An Official NYC-Registered Opioid Overdose Prevention Program (OOPP) 

The Crisis We’re Fighting 

New York City is in the middle of a deadly opioid crisis. In 2022 alone, 2,165 New Yorkers lost their lives to drug overdoses—one death every four hours. Roughly 80% of those deaths involved fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin (NYC DOHMH, 2023).

The pain is not spread equally. Black New Yorkers have seen overdose death rates increase nearly fivefold, while rates have quadrupled for Hispanic/Latino communities (OSC, 2022). At The Broad Center, we believe no one should be left to navigate this crisis alone. 

 Our Approach: Harm Reduction with Heart 

We meet people where they are—not where others think they should be. Whether someone is actively using, exploring treatment, or simply needs someone to talk to, we offer support without stigma.

We focus on communities often left behind—people experiencing homelessness, poverty, chronic illness, and those impacted by trauma or systemic barriers to care. 

 What We Provide 

Education & Training
– How to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses
– Safe administration of Narcan (Naloxone)
– Proper use of fentanyl and xylazine test strips
– Safer use strategies and overdose prevention
– Hygiene, wound care, and safer sex kits

Who we train:
– Emergency responders
– Teachers & school staff
– Shelter workers
– Community organizations
– Concerned families and friends

Where we train:
– In-person at The Broad Center
– On-site at schools, shelters, community hubs
– Virtual options available 

🧭 Our Services in Action 

• Free harm reduction supplies (Narcan, Xylazine/Fentanyl test strips, hygiene kits, condoms, wound care kits, fit packs)
  • One-on-one safety planning and overdose risk reduction
  • Syringe exchange referrals and safe disposal support
  • Connection to critical services:
     – Drug-checking programs
     – Syringe Service Programs (SSPs)
     – Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs)
     – Detox and withdrawal support
     – Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
     – Behavioral and primary healthcare

  We partner with trusted providers like ACI Rehab to ensure anyone ready for change has a clear, compassionate path forward. 

📊 Why It Matters 

Programs like ours are evidence-based and life-saving. One NYC program reduced overdose deaths by 77% using the same community-centered harm reduction approach (New York Post, 2025). These are not just services—they are lifelines.

At The Broad Center, we’ve helped thousands stay safe, get connected, and reclaim dignity—without judgment, without cost, and without delay. 

🤝 Want to Partner or Learn More? 

Whether you’re a school, nonprofit, workplace, or community group, we’ll bring training and supplies to you—free of charge.
Request a Training:
Email: info@thebroadcenter.org

Together, we can save lives—and build a New York City where everyone is valued, protected, and empowered. 

  

References  

• NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. (2023). Epi Data Brief: Unintentional Drug Poisoning (Overdose) Deaths in New York City in 2022. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/epi/databrief142.pdf 

• Office of the State Comptroller. (2022). Continuing Crisis: Drug Overdose Deaths in New York. https://www.osc.ny.gov/reports/continuing-crisis-drug-overdose-deaths-new-york 

• New York Post. (2025, March 19). Revolutionary NYC program for addicts has fatal overdoses plummeting. https://nypost.com/2025/03/19/us-news/revolutionary-nyc-program-for-addicts-has-fatal-overdoses-plummeting/