The scene resembling “Night of the Living Dead” played out near the renowned Angelica Film Center and a high-profile apartment in Noho.
A nonprofit called Greenwich House, funded by taxpayers to the tune of $30 million, lies at the center of local controversy. Some residents argue that its approach doesn’t effectively help those struggling with addiction.
At the Opioid Clinic along Mercer Street, around 1,300 individuals receive methadone—a medication intended to alleviate withdrawal from stronger opioids like heroin.
Every morning, a line forms outside the clinic at 6 a.m., reminiscent of the buzz around a new iPhone release.
This week, the unsettling sights continued for two consecutive days, with individuals displaying signs of severe distress on the sidewalks. Some appeared to be using needles, while others were slumped over, barely managing to keep upright.
One young man wandered into the street, prompting medics to try to assist him as he lay on the ground.
Residents have had enough, especially with one-bedroom apartments in the area recently selling for $2.2 million, while celebrities like Gigi Hadid are frequenting the neighborhood.
“Navigating between Houston and Mercer is simply a disaster,” lamented local resident Linda Sondick.
“I’ve witnessed people being taken away in ambulances due to overdoses. It’s alarming and really tragic,” she added.
“Nearby, children are playing, yet there’s chaos on the bridge with people screaming and crying.”
“Whenever my parents call 911, sometimes help doesn’t arrive in time,” she mentioned.
Although the clinic is meant to provide assistance, Sondick is skeptical. “Honestly, I don’t believe they’re actually helping anyone there,” she said.
“It seems we’ve attracted a different crowd—those who aren’t seeking any real help,” she concluded.
“The paramedics often save many, but sadly, about every couple of months, one doesn’t make it,” he explained.
Elbaz noted that several dealers linger nearby, pointing out one in particular. “That guy sells fentanyl; he’s directly responsible for four overdoses in just three days,” he alleged.
One issue complicating police interventions stems from a 2021 policy change in Albany that decriminalized needle possession and distribution, essentially giving individuals the freedom to use drugs in public.
Since the pandemic, taxpayer-funded clinics like Greenwich House have proliferated, with local residents reporting worsening conditions over the last six months.
This organization has operated since the 1970s, being one of the original methadone clinics in the city. It reportedly draws in nearly $8 million annually in funding from both city and state sources, along with substantial healthcare billing.
Initially, the clinic’s budget stood around $15 million until about 2021. Politicians with left-leaning agendas have shown their support in glossy reports and fundraisers.
As of recent years, the budget has continued to climb, with projections reaching nearly $30 million by 2024.
Greenwich House also received donations from prominent figures like Jonathan Soros, contributing $50,000 last year.
The clinic promotes a “harm reduction” approach, which, in simpler terms, means they won’t press clients to quit using drugs until they feel ready.
Yet, many argue this method might not align with the realities of addiction.
“The notion that individuals will only seek help when prepared is flawed—addiction can last a lifetime,” said Charles Fein Lehman from the Manhattan Institute.
“Many don’t view attempts to guide people toward treatment as supportive; instead, they feel it’s counterproductive,” he added.
A clinic spokesperson asserted, “It’s a widespread and unfortunate myth that treatment centers cause public dysfunction. We aren’t the cause—we’re part of the solution.”
The executive director of Greenwich House, Darren Brock, previously served as a senior advisor to Mayor Bill de Blasio, who introduced the first monitored injection sites in the U.S. as a response to rising overdose rates.
Since those measures were implemented, overdose fatalities have continued to rise.
Last year, around 2,300 New Yorkers succumbed to drug overdoses, with nearly 1,650 related to fentanyl or similar synthetic opioids. Comparatively, 372 fatalities were attributed to heroin, and 188 to medications like oxycodone.
