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Curtis Sliwa Rips Gov. Kathy Hochul for Legalizing Drugs on NYC streets

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By Hadassa Kalatizadeh

New York City Mayoral race underdog, Curtis Sliwa, is taking on Gov. Kathy Hochul for her stance on legalizing drugs on city streets.

As reported by the NY Post, on Sunday, Sliwa criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul for approving legislation which would force the NYPD to stand back and allow drug use on city streets.  “It’s interesting that Gov Hochul … instead of utilizing her veto power, decided to sign this into legislation,” Sliwa said.  Sliwa, a Republican and founder of The Guardian Angels, said this legislation will hamper the city’s economic recovery.  “If all of a sudden some addicts decided to sit down outside Eagle Street in Albany and start injecting right in front of the governor’s mansion, would she tell the state police not to do anything?” Sliwa demanded. “Of course not. That would not be permissible.”

Sliwa accused Hochul and Democratic NY state lawmakers of passing the law knowing that it will hurt the quality of life in the Big Apple.  “It’s do as I say but not as I do. But to the rest of us, they have again put another nail in the coffin of New York City’s resurrection,” said Sliwa. “I’ll tell you, if the good people of New York City elect me mayor on Nov. 2, I am immediately going to go to war against Gov. Hochul on this.”

On Saturday, the Post reported that Senate Bill 2523 is already in effect, and decriminalizes the possession or sale of hypodermic needles and syringes, commonly used to inject drugs.  In response to the law, the NYPD instructed officers not to “take any enforcement action” if they see people with needles used for drugs.  “Effective immediately, members of the service should not take any enforcement action against any individual who possesses a hypodermic needle, even when it contains residue of a controlled substance,” says a recently issued directive to NYPD commanders.

The law comes despite new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found drug-overdose deaths have jumped by 36 percent in the five boroughs.  In the 12-month period ending March 31, over 2,200 people in NYC died from drug overdoses, up from 1,650 the previous year, as per agency data.

A representative for Hochul replied to The Post via e-mail, saying “Fighting the opioid epidemic is personal to Governor Hochul, and this legislation is one part of a larger public health approach to expand access to substance abuse treatment and keep New Yorkers safe.”

 

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