East Harlem Ranks In Top 5 For Overdose Deaths In NYC: New Data

EAST HARLEM, NY - Fatal overdoses in New York City reached historic levels last year as deaths topped 3,000, new data shows, and East Harlem residents saw some of the most direct impacts.

East Harlem ranked at the fourth highest neighborhood for fatal overdoses in 2022, with 88.9 overdose deaths per 100,000 residents, according to the provisional data by residence. That’s up from 65.7 in 2021, a 35.3 percent increase.

The other neighborhoods included in 2022’s top slots include Crotona-Tremont (105.3), Hunts Point-Mott Haven (100.1), Highbridge-Morrisania (99.5) and Fordham-Bronx-Park (73.4).

All are above the New York City average of 43.3 overdose deaths per 100,000 residents.

“Residents of the South Bronx, East Harlem, and Central Harlem continued to experience the highest rates of fatal overdose in 2022, while Bedford-Stuyvesant and Williamsburg-Bushwick emerged as new areas of concern,” reads a report from the New York City Department of Health. “Overdose deaths remained highest among residents of very high poverty neighborhoods.”

In fact, the citywide deaths — of which eight of 10 were tied to fentanyl — prompted Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan to issue an advisory Monday for city dwellers, providers and people who use drugs.

Fentanyl was present in 81 percent of the 2022 deaths, and cocaine was present in 53 percent, the data shows. Most deaths — about six out of 10 — took place in private homes, according to the data.

The overdose data also showed disparities. Black New Yorkers, for example, had the highest rate of overdose deaths and the largest increase in rate from 2021 to 2022 (52.0 to 62.0 per 100,000 residents). Black New Yorkers between the ages of 55 and 84 showed the highest fatal overdose levels of any group, the data showed.

New Yorkers to take actions such as being equipped with and trained in the anti-overdose drug naloxone, the advisory urged.

"This crisis is killing a New Yorker every three hours and is impacting every individual and family in our city and in our nation," Vasan said in a statement. "No one is spared, even if you think otherwise."

Vasan's advisory recommended that New Yorkers:

• Carry naloxone and know how to use it
• Talk to loved ones about substance use and overdose risk
• Avoid using drugs alone
• Keep all drugs, including medications, safely stored