New York City runs ad campaign 'empowering' heroin users

A campaign by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is encouraging addicts not to be "ashamed," rather "be empowered" that they are "using safely." The ads are showing up on subways all over town.

The ad, which was spotted on a New York City subway reads, "Don’t be ashamed you are using, be empowered that you are using safely." The campaign appears to be designed to encourage the prevention of overdoses by giving tips on how to safely use illegal and dangerous narcotics.

The ad then gives tips to prevent an overdose beginning with the first tip, which is to "avoid using alone and take turns," thereby encouraging addicts to shoot up together.

Secondly, the ad suggested to "Start with a small dose and go slowly."