Mamdani makes New York’s cash-for-syringes program permanent

A new report indicates that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration has made a controversial pilot program permanent.

An experimental program that critics accuse of encouraging illicit and dangerous drug use is once again back in the spotlight. According to The New York Post, the Mamdani administration is opting to keep the so-called “cash for syringes” program.

“The city’s massive $126 billion budget for the new fiscal year that began July 1 includes $3 million to retain the Health Department’s Community Syringe Redemption Program, which pays the public 20 cents per syringe,” the outlet reported on Sunday. “The announcement was made with little fanfare in budget documents the agency provided to the NYC Council on June 30, shortly before members approved Zohran Mamdani’s first spending plan as mayor.”

The program will continue operating through Addiction Response Resources, receiving $11.1 million to continue through the end of 2027.

“Participants can return up to 50 used syringes per day — collecting $10 — by dropping them at eight designated sites: five in The Bronx, and one each in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens,” The Post explained.

The funding for this program has been supplied through $189 million received by the city from a successful battle with opioid manufacturers and distributors. Critics argue that the money should be going toward addiction treatments and rehabilitation, rather than “paying users to turn in their needles for cash.”

X users weighed in:

NY deserves this. They elected a guy with zero political skills and all bad ideas.

— Matt ED (@Matt_Edward03) July 19, 2026

The heroin you inject, the more money we will pay to enable your habit.

Strong work young commie.

— Doc Holliday (@realjhholliday) July 19, 2026

No doubt the dealers are happy. The junkies will have extra money!!

— We are Christian Warriors (@JohnG51982) July 19, 2026

You know NYC has fallen when a communist is paying drug addicts to return syringes! 😆😂😆😂😆😂

— 🇺🇸Pure Blood 55🇺🇸 (@pureblood55) July 19, 2026

If only @ZohranKMamdani and @NYCCouncil cared as much about regular New Yorkers as they do drug addicts, violent criminals, illegal migrants and Islamic terrorists.

— PugofDoom (@ComixGalore) July 19, 2026

So now TAXPAYERS are paying for needles to give drug addicts and then paying the drug addicts to return those same dirty needles ?
What a waste of money.
Socialism at work.

— DIMEBAG_5150 (@ChrisOn50570948) July 19, 2026

But he’ll let snow pile up in a blizzard, trash won’t be collected and your streets will flood during heavy rain. But your addicts will have clean needles. Now that’s what I call priorities.

— Sally Ferrante (@Sasferra) July 19, 2026

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