Mamdani makes NYC needle buy-back program permanent

New York City has turned a pilot effort that pays people for returning used syringes into a permanent city program. The change has sparked criticism from opponents who argue the policy rewards drug use instead of helping people overcome addiction.

The city’s latest budget sets aside $3 million to keep the Health Department’s Community Syringe Redemption Program running. Participants receive 20 cents per syringe returned, with a daily maximum of 50 syringes for a total of $10. Drop-off sites operate in the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn.

The program originated from legislation passed in 2022 and officially began in 2025. It was intended to reduce discarded needles in public spaces and draws its funding from opioid settlement money totaling $189 million.

In its first 16 months, more than 2.3 million needles were collected, resulting in nearly $300,000 paid out to participants. City sanitation crews, however, report picking up roughly the same number of needles from parks and streets as before the program started.

Republican Queens Councilwoman Joann Ariola condemned the approach. She said the settlement funds should go entirely toward addiction treatment services rather than direct payments to drug users. “All this is doing is putting money in the pockets of addicts, so they can continue to fuel their habits, rather than helping them break free of their disease,” she stated.

A Health Department spokesperson defended the program, saying it helps keep neighborhoods free of syringe litter while allowing safe disposal of medical waste and connecting people to care resources. The city plans to continue the effort in the years ahead.