Provisional data shows overdose deaths decreasing in NYS

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---Over a 12-month period, areas outside of New York City saw a 9 percent decline in estimated overdose deaths and in New York City, 3 percent. This is according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that compared the numbers to a prior 12-month period.

Dr. David Holtgrave, a special assistant to the New York State Health Commissioner, said had there not been a decrease, more lives would have been lost.

"That means about 420 more New Yorkers wouldn’t be at the dinner table tonight or wouldn’t be with their family, or with their friends," explained Holtgrave.

Tim Murdick, President of Nopiates Committee said he was pleased to hear of the decrease, and hopes the trend continues.

"Since before COVID, during COVID, after COVID, overdose deaths have been out of control," said Murdick. "Yeah, it’s welcomed news."

While the numbers are going in the right direction, Holtgrave said there's still more work to be done. He explained what the state has been doing.

"Expanding drug treatment availability to persons who need that. Harm reduction services like supporting syringe service programs. And things like Fentanyl test strips and Xylazine strips, so that one can tell whether the drug that’s being used has been adulterated with Xylazine or Fentanyl or another drug."

According to Governor Hochul’s Office, more than $335 million dollars in opioid settlement money has been made available to help local communities with recovery services and addiction prevention. Over the last 18 months, 700,000 Naloxone kits have been distributed across the state.

"One thing that everyone can do is make sure you have access to something like Naloxone and do the basic online training," said Holtgrave. "So that when you do encounter someone in your household or elsewhere that’s experiencing an overdose, you can jump right in."