Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., is calling on Attorney General Todd Blanche to take action against two overdose prevention centers (OPCs) in Manhattan, alleging they operate in violation of federal law. The Republican congresswoman has written to Blanche, urging him to shut down the facilities, which she described as "federally funded heroin injection sites."
Malliotakis’s concerns center on two Overdose Prevention Centers run by the nonprofit OnPoint in East Harlem and Washington Heights. She stated that these sites, which offer supervised consumption services for illicit drugs like heroin, are attracting a criminal element and signaling to drug dealers.
"People literally go there like it's a community center, hang out, and shoot up drugs. It's signaling to drug dealers where their clients are located and attracting a criminal element in and around the facility," Malliotakis told Fox News Digital. "We don't want to see this spread throughout the City of New York or the rest of the country, which is why it's critical for the Department of Justice to step in now to stop these illegally operating heroin injection centers."
In her letter to Attorney General Blanche, Malliotakis accused OnPoint of operating in violation of Title 21 of the United States Code Section 856, which prohibits knowingly opening, leasing, renting, using, or maintaining any place for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, or using any controlled substance.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice confirmed receipt of Malliotakis's letter and stated that appropriate personnel are reviewing it.
Malliotakis also referenced a July 2025 executive order signed by then-President Donald Trump, which directed federal agencies to redirect funding from recipients of federal housing and homelessness assistance that operate drug injection sites. She noted that a $2 million grant approved by the Biden administration for these facilities in New York was canceled by Trump's executive order.
"Thankfully, President Trump last year signed an executive order prohibiting any federal funds from going to such facilities," Malliotakis said. "There was a $2 million grant that Joe Biden's administration had approved for these facilities in New York, and President Trump's executive order canceled that."
Malliotakis has also introduced legislation aimed at defunding injection centers nationally. "We need that codified in statute," she stated. "We're hopeful that under the new Trump administration, we will see these heroin sites finally shut down because what they're doing is enabling addiction."
The congresswoman further criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for visiting one of the OnPoint locations in March, calling his support "ludicrous."
"The new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, did go visit one of these facilities and was praising the work they're doing, which is ludicrous. It's enabling drug addiction instead of helping people who are clearly addicted," Malliotakis said. She argued that such facilities enable addiction rather than aiding individuals in overcoming it, suggesting that community center resources could be better utilized for youth and seniors.
Malliotakis expressed support for long-term addiction treatment but contended that current practices in New York City, particularly regarding drug-related arrests, result in a quick turnaround without sufficient long-term intervention.
IMAGE3: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks with OnPoint Executive Director Sam Rivera in a photo posted to Mamdani's X account on Mar. 2, 2026. ()