SAFE GC Coalition: NYSDOH Report on Opioid Overdose Prevention Efforts

According to the 2024 NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) Opioid Annual Report, in NYS, both fatal and nonfatal overdoses involving opioids have increased since 2010. While efforts had initially slowed increases in fatal overdose, the COVID-19 pandemic impacts resulted in another sharp increase with opioid-related overdose deaths reaching historic levels of over 5,300 in 2022.

Provisional data by the CDC have shown that overdose deaths involving drugs in NYS have declined considerably during 2023 to early 2024.8 However, NYS remains cautiously optimistic and continues to focus on leveraging every tool available, from innovative prevention, treatment, harm reduction, to recovery services, to reach more New Yorkers who are impacted by the overdose epidemic.

The report discusses the state’s efforts to implement public health programming to prevent death from opioid overdoses. The State’s multi-pronged approach also includes a focus on building overdose response capacity within communities throughout the state via the Community Opioid Overdose Prevention programs.

Through organizations registered with the NYSDOH, community laypersons are trained to administer naloxone (an opioid antagonist also known by the brand name Narcan) in the event of a suspected opioid overdose. There are currently more than 1,000 registered Community Opioid Overdose Prevention programs, with over 1,271,000 individuals trained by them since the initiative’s inception in 2006. Of these, over 157,000 were public safety personnel including law enforcement, fire fighters, EMS responders, and community responders.

Community responders are trained in identifying signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and steps in how to respond to an overdose and how to administer naloxone. In 2023, there were 1,875 naloxone administration reports by law enforcement to the NYSDOH and 2,591 reports by Community Opioid Overdose Prevention programs.

For both law enforcement and community naloxone administrations, the report notes this information is known to be underreported and thus not representative of all law enforcement and community naloxone administrations occurring in NYS. In total, including unique administrations by EMS agencies, there were 25,939 reported naloxone administrations in NYS in 2023.

Research on the opioid epidemic and the prevention of opioid overdose mortalities repeatedly discuss the need for policymakers to quickly advance legislation to address gaps in drug prevention, harm reduction and treatment, including efforts to improve access to naloxone, telehealth and methadone. It is imperative that policymakers develop comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to address this issue.

To recognize the signs of overdose and take advantage of the resources available through Opioid Overdose Prevention Program to help those in need. People with questions or requests for additional information should contact opioidprevention@health.ny.gov.

The York State Department of Health (the Department) oversees the health, safety, and well-being of New Yorkers utilizing new developments in science as critical tools in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. To read the 2024 Opioid Annual Report please visit https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/opioid/data/pdf/nys_opioid_annual_r....

SAFE is the only alcohol and substance abuse prevention, intervention and education agency in the City of Glen Cove. Its Coalition is conducting an opioid prevention awareness campaign entitled, "Keeping Glen Cove SAFE," to educate and update the community regarding opioid use and its consequences. To learn more about the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition please follow us on www.facebook.com/safeglencove or visit SAFE’s website to learn more about the Opioid Epidemic at www.safeglencove.org.