Needle-buyback OK amid furor

The City Council overwhelmingly passed a controversial needle buyback program pushed by progressive pols — a policy that critics say will only incentivize drug use. The taxpayer-funded, yearlong pilot program is expected to begin in the next month or so, with the Health Department opening buyback locations in five of the city’s 51 council districts. Junkies will earn up to 20 cents per used syringe they return, but no more than $10 daily, according to the bill approved 40-6 Tuesday.

Councilwoman Diana Ayala (left; D-Manhattan/Bronx), the bill’s sponsor, said the measure’s “overall aim is to connect users with organizations that can put them onto a path of recovery, while . . . cleaning up our streets” of discarded needles.

The measure leaves the door open to the program becoming permanent — and much larger in scope.

When the pilot ends, the Health Department must report to the council in six months how many “needles, syringes and sharps” were returned at each site, and how much money was spent.

It’s unclear how much the program will cost New Yorkers.

“Instead of focusing on resolving addiction, this city is perpetuating the problem by giving drug abusers money to continue their habits,” said Councilman Robert Holden (D-Queens).