NY1 on Tuesday night looked into the opioid epidemic in the city with a special report, along with a live town hall, at which safe injection sites were hotly debated.

That special report introduced us to people who are touched by the opioid epidemic, people battling opioid addiction, law enforcement who work to cut supplies on the streets, families that have lost oved ones.

The live town law hall event included some of them and other New Yorkers who have been personally affected.

Earlier this month the city released a study showing the mayor's support to pilot safe injection sites in the city. This was discussed in our special and sparked debate at the town hall among some panelists.

Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson explained why they are in favor of the pilot:

Special Narcotics Prosecutor for New York Bridget Brennan expressed her serious reservations about safe injection facilities:

The NYPD's chief of detectives spoke about law enforcements efforts, acknowledging they cannot arrest their way out of the problem, saying the department is doing more to target high-level drug dealers and helping connect people who are using to services.