At The Hub in the South Bronx, a major transportation and shopping area at 149th Street and Third Avenue, people appear to be high on drugs, nodding off in broad daylight.

There has been outrage over the open sale and use of drugs. People in the area spoke to NY1 anonymously about the situation.

What You Need To Know

At The Hub in the South Bronx, a major transportation and shopping area at 149th Street and Third Avenue, people appear to be high on drugs, nodding off in broad daylight

NY1 spent the last several months visiting the area. People have been using drugs there for decades, and these days, they’re smoking K2 (synthetic marijuana), shooting up with heroin and popping pills

In July, Mayor Adams traveled to The Hub and had Roberto Clemente Plaza barricaded. Rampant drug use was often on full display there

During NY1’s visits since July, medical staff from New York City Health and Hospitals have been seen walking around offering help to those in need, and homeless service outreach teams have been in the area as well

“Now that we know the issue about a lot of people are suffering mentally, and on top of that, smoking this K2, that’s the double whammy,” one man said. “90 degrees and you’re smoking poison and they’re just falling like flies.”

NY1 spent the last several months visiting the area. People have been using drugs there for decades, and these days, they’re smoking K2 (synthetic marijuana), shooting up with heroin and popping pills.

Last year, Rep. Ritchie Torres, whose district includes the neighborhood, demanded the city do something to address the problem. Along with extreme poverty, the area also has several drug treatment programs that attract those struggling with addiction.

Back in February, Mayor Eric Adams announced multiple city agencies would respond. Then in July, he actually traveled to The Hub and had Roberto Clemente Plaza barricaded. Rampant drug use was often on full display there. 

NYPD officers now stand post in the empty plaza. People in the area say this isn’t enough.

“All he did was push people further out from where they were, so he didn’t accomplish nothing,” another man, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

Men and women who appeared to be addicted to drugs were less than half a block from the plaza that now has metal barricades around it.

“They got to help these people. They got to put them somewhere, and they got to do it against their will or it’s not going to get done,” another person said.

NY1 spoke to those who admitted they are struggling with drug addiction to see what they had to say and what they needed.

“Housing, to help us with housing and the benefits,” one man said.

He added he would go to an outpatient drug treatment program, but not an inpatient facility. He said he did too much time in jail to consider inpatient.

While appearing to get ready to smoke K2, another man said he also needed some sort of drug treatment program.

“Keep me away from people that deal with drugs. Keep me away from that and I’m good.”

He also said he was currently living on the streets.

During NY1’s visits since July, medical staff from New York City Health and Hospitals have been seen walking around offering help to those in need.

Homeless service outreach teams have been in the area as well. Many people told NY1 it’s not just about assisting those struggling with drug use, it’s also about stopping those who are selling the drugs to them.

In response, the NYPD says officers are cracking down on drug dealing.

The department told NY1 that between April 1 and Sept. 21 of this year, there have been 183 arrests for drugs in The Hub, and 49 of those were for intent to sell.

Despite some residents saying there has been slight improvement, the once thriving shopping strip has been greatly impacted.

Merchants say the drug problem makes families afraid to shop in the area. So, it’s not just quality of life — it’s their livelihood.