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Bronx town hall spotlights opioid crisis as families, advocates call for more services
Summary
Community boards 5 and 7 held a joint town hall at the Bronx Library Center where residents and panelists—including State Senator Gustavo Rivera and local health and advocacy groups—discussed public drug use, stigma and the need for treatment and harm‑reduction services.
A joint town hall at the Bronx Library Center drew community members, advocates and elected officials to discuss the borough’s opioid crisis and possible local responses.
A panel that included advocacy groups and health officials pressed for a shift away from punitive approaches and toward services that treat people with dignity. “There is still a deep stigma that is attached to drug use and addiction,” one panelist said, arguing that some existing policies are shaped by that stigma and can block needed facilities and supports. The panel listed Drug Policy Alliance, EnPoint NYC, Friends of EchoPark and the Department of Health among participants, and host Darren Hyman said State Senator Gustavo Rivera was present.
Public commenters described personal impacts. Mother Marlene Jimenez told the meeting about her son’s overdose‑related incident: “My son was just recently laced behind the fentanyl,” she said, and described the difficulty of finding help. Organizers closed by urging residents to contact local elected officials and community board members to press for sustained funding and programs.
The town hall covered prevention, public drug use and resources currently available, and emphasized that the work will continue beyond the meeting as residents and service providers push for coordinated, stigma‑free responses.
