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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Recent 22% decrease in overdose deaths in New York City
5:27:41
ยท
129 sec
Bridget Brennan reports a significant 22% decrease in overdose deaths in New York City over a 12-month period ending in September 2024. This positive trend is attributed to various factors and efforts by multiple agencies and stakeholders.
- The decrease mirrors trends across much of the United States
- Lower volume and potency of fentanyl entering the US contribute to the decline
- The trend reflects efforts of the past administration in negotiating with international partners and pressuring Mexican cartels
Bridget Brennan
5:27:41
For the past fifteen years, we've been frustrated by the ever rising rates of overdose deaths fueled by ever more lethal opioids and specifically by fentanyl.
5:27:53
But our efforts as well as everybody at this table, the NYPD, the DEA, health and treatment outreach workers, and so many others have finally resulted in the best news we've had in years.
5:28:07
Overdose deaths in New York City have dropped by a meaningful twenty two percent in the twelve month period ending in September 2004, having peaked in 2022, and that's according to the CDC.
5:28:25
Our local health department and medical examiner's office is not able to report as quickly as the CDC is.
5:28:35
So for the more current information we rely on them.
5:28:39
The more comprehensive information comes from our city health department, but that comes about a year later.
5:28:48
So please refer to page five in my testimony for the details on that.
5:28:53
And this welcome decline mirrors trends across much of The US.
5:28:59
We're optimistic because the trends indicate that not only is there a lower volume of fentanyl coming into The US, it is less potent.
5:29:11
And I should say and remind you that the CDC report reflects a period that started in September of twenty twenty three and ended in September of twenty twenty four.
5:29:25
So it reflects the activities of the past administration in negotiating and pressuring international partners such as China, which produces the chemicals that go into fentanyl and are shipped to Mexico, and the pressure on Mexican cartels by the new leadership in Mexico.