Democrats enjoy giving away complimentary items at the expense of others. Now they have discovered a means to distribute free crack pipes. We need the return of Nancy “just say no” Reagan!

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has unveiled the first of four vending machines that will be installed in drug-infested neighborhoods. In addition to other essentials, these vending machines provide complimentary crack pipes, Narcan, and condoms.

In Brooklyn, at 1676 Broadway, a unique vending machine has been installed. Large blue packages containing Naloxone, a drug that can reverse overdoses, fentanyl test results, hygiene kits, and safe sex kits are contained within the machine. Health officials view it as the initial step in combating the city’s out-of-control drug overdose problem.

The vending dispenser is accessible to all. Simply enter your New York City zip code and choose between crack pipes, Narcan, and contraceptives.

According to the city’s health commissioner, the devices will help combat the overdose crisis:

“We are in the midst of an overdose crisis in our city, which is taking a fellow New Yorker from us every three hours and is a major cause of falling life expectancy in NYC.

“But we will continue to fight to keep our neighbors and loved ones alive with care, compassion and action. Public health vending machines are an innovative way to meet people where they are and to put life-saving tools like naloxone in their hands. We’ll leave no stone unturned until we reverse the trends in opioid-related deaths in our city.”

In the metropolitan area, a record number of overdose fatalities have been reported. In 2021, there were 2,668 fatal overdoses in New York City, compared to 2,103 in 2020. 84 percent of fatal overdoses in 2021 involved an opioid. Eighty percent of all fatal overdoses involved the incredibly potent drug fentanyl. In the first half of 2022, 1,370 overdose fatalities will be reported officially. Authorities predict that 2022 will be the worst year for overdoses if this trend persists.

Fox 5 New York stated:

“The vending machine also has QR codes to help people find services and resources in their community and also dispenses fentanyl test strips, birth control packs, and baggies containing tools for safer smoking of several drugs.”

According to a statement issued by the New York City Department of Health:

To accomplish a mental health plan objective, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has unveiled the city’s first public health vending machine, hosted by Services for the Underserved (S:US), to promote convenient and anonymous access to lifesaving harm reduction supplies 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Public health vending machines are an innovative, low-barrier approach to reducing stigma and reaching New Yorkers who may not have access to harm reduction services. In the United States, Europe, and Australia, similar devices have been effective in reducing overdose and infectious disease rates.

More on this story via The Republic Brief:

As part of the Care, Community, Action plan released in March, the city has committed to supporting people at risk of a fatal overdose and a goal of reducing overdose deaths by 15% by 2025. Increasing access to free naloxone is part of the City’s plan to reduce overdose deaths, focusing on populations with the highest rates of overdose death and risk of experiencing or witnessing an overdose. CONTINUE READING…