Controversial program paying drug users for used syringes becomes permanent in NYC

New York City is permanently bankrolling a program that pays people up to $10 a day for used syringes, a controversial effort critics argue puts taxpayer dollars into addicts' pockets rather than getting them treatment.The program, known as the Community Syringe Redemption Program, was quietly made permanent through Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first city budget after the city's $126 billion spending plan set aside $3 million to continue it beyond its pilot phase, the New York Post reported.The funding appeared in budget documents submitted to the New York City Council on June 30, shortly before lawmakers approved the budget.Participants receive 20 cents for every used syringe they return, with payments capped at 50 syringes, or $10 a day, according to the New York City Health Department.

The city operates eight redemption sites — five in the Bronx and one each in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens — where enrolled participants can drop off used needles during scheduled collection hours.MAYORS WANT TO KEEP HANDING OUT FREE CASH AFTER FEDERAL FUNDS DRIED UPA used syringe sits on the ground in a park as local politicians, religious leaders and members of the Harlem community participate in a 'Make Our Streets Safe for Our Children' march and rally on Oct.8 in New York City.

(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)The program launched as a pilot in March 2025 after legislation backed by progressive City Council members passed in 2022.It is run by Addiction Response Resources, a nonprofit that also started a similar syringe redemption program in Boston, under an $11.1 million contract that runs through the end of next year, the Post reported.Health officials say the program has collected more than 2.3 million used syringes since it began about 16 months ago, the outlet reported.

During its first year, the city paid out about $292,000 to more than 1,700 participants.Sanitation Department data cited by the Post shows workers have collected 26,229 discarded needles so far this y...