New York City’s Opioid Crisis Reaching Historic Levels

Here at Victory, we help and treat patients who are suffering from substance use disorder. Since our founding in 2018, we have seen first-hand how drug and alcohol addiction affects and impacts New York’s adult population. According to recent data from New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the overdose crisis is growing – and it’s certainly not slowing down. 

Overdose Statistics in Recent Years 

In 2022, over 3000 overdose deaths occurred in New York City alone. In the first quarter of 2023, 712 overdoses occurred in NYC. More than 3400 fatal overdoses were reported between May 2022 and May 2023. These are alarming and shocking statistics. 

Fentanyl – A Major Cause of Opioid Overdoses 

A major reason and cause of these overdoses is the opioid fentanyl.
At Victory, we’re highly educated and informed about fentanyl. This is an extremely dangerous opioid that can be deadly just by consuming a very small amount. Between 2021 and 2022, fentanyl was found in 81% of drug overdose deaths in NYC.  In 2023, over 112,000 deaths occurred nationwide due to fentanyl consumption. The shocking truth about fentanyl is that it’s significantly stronger than morphine – up to 50 to 100 times stronger. Even a microscopic amount of fentanyl can be deadly.  

Who Gets Impacted by Overdoses? 

Victory Recovery Partners treats adults from all backgrounds. The report from the Department of Health (referenced above), found that Black and Latinos in New York had the highest rates of death from overdosing. Additionally, they were responsible for the largest increase in overdose rates from 2021 to 2022. 

The report also explains that NYC residents ages 55 to 64 had the highest rate of overdose. This may seem like a surprising statistic, given how many young adults use substances such as drugs and alcohol.  

The mayor of NYC, Eric Adams, along with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, have set a goal that they would like to achieve by 2025. The main goal is to achieve a 15 percent reduction in overdose deaths by 2025.  

Ways to Combat Overdoses in NYC 

To help achieve this goal, NYC launched a “public health vending machine.” Think of this like a vending machine that holds beverages – except this vending machine contains health and wellness supplies. Included are hygiene kits, and naloxone (a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose). In addition to this, NYC has already provided more than 77,000 naloxone kits, as well as providing many trainings to help educate the public on the benefits of naloxone.  

Drug Overdoses is a National Crisis 

The drug abuse crisis is not only limited to New York. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 states are also experiencing major increases in overdose deaths. This includes New York, Texas, California, Washington, Alabama, and Oregon. Part of eliminating the drug use crisis in America is helping users to understand and recognize why they are using drugs. Is it to cope with pain, anxiety, and depression? Did the addiction start due to peer pressure? Understanding the causes of addiction will help the user to break free from it and recover.  

Victory Recovery Partners is Here to Help 

Victory Recovery Partners, a network of five addiction and recovery centers on Long Island, NY, treats adults with substance use disorders. Victory is unique – we provide total care under one roof. This includes Behavioral Health, Wellness, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), and Psychiatric services. Additionally, our Farmingville location now offers methadone as a treatment for substance use disorder. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, we’re here to help. Please visit our website, www.victoryrp.com to learn more.