On International Overdose Awareness Day, Governor Hochul Highlights Major Decline in Overdose Deaths Across New York State

As New York marks International Overdose Awareness Day, Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a major decline in overdose deaths across New York State following her administration's historic investments in programs and services to address drug addiction and the overdose epidemic. Overdose deaths have fallen by approximately 45 percent statewide since 2022.

The Governor also announced today that landmarks across the state will be lit purple in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day. The illumination honors the lives lost to the overdose epidemic and acknowledges the grief of the family members and friends who have been impacted by the deadly epidemic. The awareness day is also a reminder of the continued support needed for those who are still struggling with substance use disorder.

"International Overdose Awareness Day serves as a reminder that every life lost to drug overdose is one too many," Governor Hochul said. "The progress made in recent years shows that our historic investments in the fight against drug addiction are making a difference. As this deadly epidemic continues to impact every community, I'll never stop fighting to protect New Yorkers and ensure we're bringing lifesaving resources to communities in need."

New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "International Overdose Awareness Day is a reminder that each life lost is a family member, loved one, friend, colleague and community member. While the deadly drug epidemic remains a public health crisis, encouraging progress has been made through the work of countless dedicated community partners, investments in innovative harm reduction programs and access to prevention tools, education and resources. Today and every day, the Department remains dedicated to advancing this important work and achieving an overdose-free generation."

New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, "Every part of New York State has been impacted by the overdose epidemic, and while we have made significant progress in reducing deaths, we continue to lose too many New Yorkers. These are not just numbers, they are people, and their losses impact all of us. International Overdose Awareness Day is an important observance that reminds us all of the toll this epidemic has taken on not only the state, but on the rest of the country and even across the world, as well as a chance to renew our commitment toward doing everything we can to ensure no more lives are lost."

State Senator Nathalia Fernandez said, "Today, we remember every New Yorker lost to overdose and stand with the families and communities who carry that loss with them. This decline in overdose deaths is meaningful progress and proof that harm reduction, treatment and sustained investment save lives. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders, I remain committed to building on that progress and ensuring every New Yorker has access to the care and resources they need."

New York State has seen great progress in reducing overdose deaths. Data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show predicted overdose deaths in New York fell from more than 6,630 individuals (about 18 people each day) in 2022 to 3,775 individuals (about 10 people each day) in 2025. This represents an approximately 45 percent decrease in the number of drug overdose deaths.

Tonight, landmarks and buildings across the state will be illuminated purple in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, to honor those lost to drug overdose and acknowledge the work that still needs to be done to prevent overdose deaths in New York State and beyond.

Landmarks to be illuminated include the following:

• 1WTC
• Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
• Kosciuszko Bridge
• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
• State Education Building
• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
• Empire State Plaza
• State Fairgrounds - Main Gate & Expo Center
• Niagara Falls
• The "Franklin D. Roosevelt" Mid-Hudson Bridge
• Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct
• Albany International Airport Gateway
• MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
• Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
• Moynihan Train Hall
• Roosevelt Island Lighthouse

The gains observed in recent years are an encouraging sign. However, the drug overdose epidemic continues to impact every community across New York State and disparities highlight the continued importance of directing resources and services to high needs areas, ensuring every community benefits from the State's progress.

Addressing the epidemic and achieving an overdose-free generation includes continued public awareness and a commitment to harm reduction that makes lifesaving overdose reversal medications like naloxone available to the public, increases access to harm reduction resources and supports community-based organizations that work directly in communities impacted by the overdose epidemic.

Governor Hochul's historic investments and the establishment of innovative programs have been vital components in addressing the drug epidemic and bringing new services to all areas of the state.

New York State has made approximately $500 million in Opioid Settlement Funds available for a range of initiatives across the prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery continuum of addiction care, which is the most of any state in the country. This funding has gone to every region of the state and is supporting initiatives including medication for addiction treatment (MAT) expansions, programs to link high need individuals to treatment and other resources, funding for recovery centers to provide recovery support services, recruitment and training for the addiction workforce and public awareness activities to inform people on the risks of substance use and where they can find help.

The New York State Department of Health and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) work to ensure harm reduction strategies are reaching all communities and all demographics. The State Department of Health has over 1,400 opioid overdose registered programs with over 6,000 sites across New York State that provide opioid overdose prevention training and naloxone at no cost to the participant. Registered programs, including community-based organizations, not for profits, libraries, bookstores and schools, are registered with clinical providers, receive naloxone administration training and report on naloxone distribution and administration. Since August 2022, the State Department of Health has shipped more than 1.4 million naloxone kits to registered programs statewide.

The State Department of Health's Drug Checking Service offers people who use drugs timely and detailed information on the contents of their drugs, helping them to make more informed decisions. Since May 2023, New York State Drug Checking Programs have tested over 5,000 samples. Currently operating out of 11 programs and 18 unique sites, trained technicians provide participants with point-of-care testing results, offer linkages to other supportive services and restore agency to people who use drugs.

OASAS has established an online portal for any state resident to order fentanyl and xylazine test strips, as well as naloxone, free of charge. To date, OASAS has distributed more than 28 million fentanyl and xylazine test strips and more than 574,000 naloxone kits.

The State has made significant expansions to the availability of medication for addiction treatment (MAT). Since 2021, 27 counties have expanded access to methadone and 14 counties with no prior methadone access now have a methadone program. The state has also established mobile medication units (MMUs), which bring services directly to high-need communities in an effort to eliminate some of the barriers that people face accessing treatment. Currently there are 5 MMUs operational, with an additional 4 in development. New York now offers all Food and Drug Administration-approved forms of MAT in all 58 jails and 41 prisons in the state, reaching more than 16,000 incarcerated individuals.

The State has increased funding to amplify the range of services provided by the State Department of Health's community-based drug user health hubs. These hubs act as a safety net for the most vulnerable New Yorkers, offering services and information on overdose prevention, hepatitis C treatment, harm reduction services and rapid access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder. The Department is continuing to expand its understanding of the drug supply so that it can alert people who use drugs and the wider community of the emergence of new drugs.

The State has also focused its support on communities vulnerable to overdose, including communities of color, locations with a high burden of overdose, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) communities and young people.

Information on how to locate a harm reduction program, become an opioid overdose prevention program or access buprenorphine through the Buprenorphine Assistance Program (Bupe-AP) can be found on the Office of Drug User Health website. Information on available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential or outpatient care can be found on the NYS OASAS website.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).