Opioids continue to kill more New Yorkers as authorities expand access to drug that prevents overdose
If a complete “snapshot” is taken of the numbers of deaths associated with the use of opioids and other types of drugs Across New York State, these fatalities increased by 14% in 2021, compared to the previous year. Admissions to emergency rooms also grew by 24% due to overdose and hospitalizations by 7%, due to dangerous use of these types of substances, other than heroin.
It is updated trendsreleased this week by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), which more accurately describe the progress of the opioid use crisis, also shed light on how specifically in The Bronx and in Manhattan, already in this 2022, there are many reasons to worry.
In the county of La Salsa, while in the first quarter of 2021, 205 people were reported in emergencies due to overdose due to the consumption of all types of opioids, this year the income of those who were on the brink of death was 237.
In Manhattan almost the same thing happened: 249 people were detained from January to March of this year, while 184 were admitted in that same period of time in 2021.
In Queens y Brooklyn On the other hand, there was a decrease in this type of emergencies.
Very complicated registration
But in the Big Apple, beyond the detailed data on hospitalizations and assistance provided in emergency rooms for substance use, the sharpest angle of this crisis is that it is very difficult to determine the exact number of daily deaths for this reason.
Although there is a consensus that every seven hours a New York City resident, has a chance of dying from an overdose.
In the third quarter of 2021 (from July to September) confirmed 709 drug overdose deaths unintentional in all five boroughs, in contrast to 552 deaths in the same months of 2020, which means the highest number since these records have been followed for 20 years.
Given the exponential growth in the use of these substances in the 57 counties that make up the state of New York, which also coincides with the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mary Bassett, NYSDOH Commissioner, ordered pharmacies to sell naloxone, which can be used to counteract the effects of an overdose. And help a person resume normal breathing.
“Overdose cases are rising, both nationally and statewide, and about three-quarters of all overdose deaths in New York State, now involve fentanylBassett explained.
As explained by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) naloxone is a medication, non-addictive, that can reverse an opioid overdose, if administered early.
“Carrying naloxone with you and administering it to someone who has an opioid overdose could immediately help save a life” stresses the federal agency.
NYC takes forecasts in bars and nightclubs
Amid the monstrous rise in deaths from opioid use, the mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, signed the Intro 56legislation aimed at reducing fatal overdoses by providing free Narcan kits (naloxone) to New York City nightspots, so they are able to manage them in the event of an opioid overdose.
With the implementation of this law, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will strengthen its collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and conduct response training to overdose in bars and nightclubs.
This bill is part of a broader strategy the city is pursuing to reduce opioid overdoses, including the rollout of the first overdose prevention centers in the nation.
“By providing Narcan kits to nightlife establishments. And educate staff on how to use it in case of overdose, we will build a healthier city. We have lost too many New Yorkers for this reason”, stated the Mayor after signing this new legislation.
For his part, he Dr Ashwin VasanDOHMH commissioner recalled that many times people who consume certain substances like heroin and cocaineThey don’t even know that they might as well be receiving potent doses of fentanyl.
“Having people around who can respond, including our partners in the nightlife industry, can save lives. Furthermore, it is a message: As New Yorkers, we take care of each other.”, said the main doctor of the City.
Narcan campaign behind every bar
Likewise, due to the increasing risk of deaths due to the use of these substances and the progress of this new regulation, the New York City Office of Nightlife created the campaign ‘Narcan behind every bar’ (Narcan behind every bar), with the advice of DOHMH, which urges all entertainment venues such as bars, clubs and discos to have these free overdose prevention ‘kits’.
“It’s part of an overall harm reduction approach. And although this crisis It is not exclusive to nightlife, We believe that the staff and customers of these places should be allies to help combat emergencies,” he reasoned. Ariel Palitz, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife.
The fentanyl problem
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fentanyl is a strong synthetic opioid similar to morphine, but between 50 and 100 times more powerful. It is a prescription drug that is also sometimes used illegally.
Like morphine, it is generally indicated for patients with severe pain, especially after surgery. It is sometimes used to treat people with chronic pain who are physically tolerant of other opioids.
Fentanyl is also illegally mixed with other drugs such as cocaine, heroin, crack and methamphetamine, this is especially dangerous because the user of these drugs usually does not know that this narcotic has been added to them.
Overdose in NYC:
- 1,580 New Yorkers died from a fentanyl overdose in 2020, although there is certainty that there is underreporting, since these are only cases that have been officially proven after toxicological analyzes have been carried out.
- 1,658 people were hospitalized in the Big Apple during 2021 for serious health conditions caused by substance abuse associated with opioids.
- 409 people have ended up in hospitals for serious health crises in NYC in the first quarter of this year, compared to 328 in the same time period in 2021.
- 609 of the total hospitalizations in 2021 were due to heroin use.
- 85% of overdose deaths in 2020 were linked to the use of opioids.
- 77% of overdose deaths in 2020 For four straight years, fentanyl has been the most common substance.
- 93% of overdoses they were associated with heroin and 81% with cocaine.
- 77% of overdoses caused by opioid pain relievers and 66% of amphetamine overdoses.
- For more information on harm reduction resources for your venue, contact the Office of Nightlife: [email protected]
- See more City resources, including overdose prevention, fentanyl test strip instructional brochures, and upcoming webinars.
- Download: Folleto de NARCAN® Behind Every Bar (PDF)
- Watch: Naloxone and Overdose Prevention Training Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjWSCEXXNho
- Order free fentanyl test strips: https://nextdistro.org/nycfentstrips
