Inside the well-lit hallway, Kristina Peterson nervously walked on the tile floor.

`I’m going to use heroin,` Peterson said, pointing to a small plastic bag stuffed in his bag.

This woman started using heroin nearly 10 years ago and her addiction became more and more severe.

`There’s nothing to be proud of, but if I get crazy, I want to do drugs here,` Peterson said while sitting inside the building, which is one of two overdose prevention centers approved by local authorities.

The US records 100,000 deaths from drug shock in 2023, the highest in history.

Faced with this situation, some officials and activists have called for promoting overdose prevention centers, where drug addicts can use drugs under professional supervision and can receive immediate treatment.

Drug addicts use drugs inside an overdose facility in New York.

The two overdose prevention centers in New York are funded and operated by the nonprofit OnPoint NYC, with support from Mayor Eric Adams.

Since OnPoint NYC opened the center in a four-story building in a quiet residential area of East Harlem in November 2023, hundreds of drug users have frequented it daily.

After providing information about the type of drug they plan to use, the coordinator will provide a sterile needle, pipe or tray to heat the heroin.

Trained monitors will closely monitor the drug user for signs of reaction.

New York health officials said OnPoint NYC’s two overdose prevention centers have served nearly 700 addicts and promptly intervened in 134 overdose cases.

`These centers are saving the lives of our neighbors and loved ones,` said Dr. Dave Chokshi, New York health commissioner.

Sam Rivera, executive director of OnPoint NYC.

Critics say any move that could facilitate drug use should be strictly prohibited.

He warned that heroin is currently being replaced with fentanyl, an addictive substance that can cause users to die from drug overdose even in very small doses.

`These are lives being given a new chance. Don’t judge, just realize that many lives are being saved,` said Kailin See, who worked with Rivera to help open several overdose prevention centers in Vancouver, Canada.

But not everyone agrees with this point of view.

This idea was rejected by former California governor Jerry Brown in 2018. Mr. Brown opposed the idea of establishing pilot centers in San Francisco, asserting that allowing the use of drugs would never be effective.

Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis has called on the Justice Department to close overdose prevention centers in New York.

Critics noted that the two facilities are located in neighborhoods with large black and Latino populations.

The advocacy group, which includes director Rivera, cited a survey that said the centers in Vancouver, Canada reduced drug overdose deaths, but found no evidence of increased crime rates in surrounding areas.

Drug addicts use drugs inside an overdose facility in New York.

Peterson’s addiction began when she was prescribed Vicodin in 2008 to combat severe pain from scoliosis.

For years, she used heroin up to three times a day.

Peterson then worked many waitress positions in localities in New York, gradually settling down.

Afraid of dying from drug overdose if they used it alone, they decided to only use it together.

She sought help, sometimes going weeks without using heroin, but the struggles came back.

In front of her was a metal table with eight seats, like a sitting corner in a library.

`None of us want to be here, but I’m just trying not to die of drug overdose,` she said.