AGENCY TESTIMONY
Current state of the opioid crisis in New York City
0:14:35
ยท
75 sec
Dr. Linn-Walton presents data on the current state of the opioid crisis in New York City, highlighting recent trends and ongoing challenges.
- Overdose deaths decreased by 1% in 2023, marking the first decline since 2018
- Q1 2024 showed the lowest number of overdose deaths since 2020
- Despite improvements, a New Yorker still dies from overdose every 4 hours
- Inequities persist, with high rates among older Black men and increasing rates among Latino New Yorkers and women
Dr. Rebecca Linn- Walton
0:14:35
At the health department, we start with data.
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The data gives us insights on the prevalence of substance use and its associated health impacts.
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This creates a foundation for the city to make informed programmatic decisions and investments.
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In October, we published the annual summary in overdose deaths in 2023.
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The number of overdose deaths was 3,046, a 1% decrease from 2022, marking the first decline since 2018.
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Additionally, according to provisional data, there were 616 overdose deaths in the Q1 of 2024, the lowest quarter on record since 2020.
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This is a welcome stabilization after years of continual increase.
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Every life saved is a triumph worth acknowledging.
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This information also tells us there's still a great deal of work ahead of us.
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While we are on pace with the rest of country of the country and decrease in deaths, we continue to lose a New Yorker to fatal overdose every 4 hours.
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Inequities in certain neighborhoods and populations remain stubbornly high, such as older black men, and we are seeing increases in overdose among Latino New Yorkers and women.
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The health department is committed to reducing these inequities and supporting healing in the communities most harmed by this crisis.