Fatal Overdoses Reach Historic Levels In NYC, Officials Say

NEW YORK CITY — Fatal overdoses in New York City reached historic levels in 2022 as deaths topped 3,000, new data shows.

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

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."

New York City saw 3,026 overdose deaths in 2022, a 12 percent rise over the previous year, according to the provisional data.

Fentanyl was present in 81 percent of those deaths, and cocaine was present in 53 percent, the data shows.

Most deaths — about six out of 10 — took place in private home,s according to the data.

The overdose data also showed disparities.

Black New Yorkers, for example, had the highest rate of overdose deaths, with those between the ages of 55 and 84 showing the highest levels, the data showed.

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

"We’re all in this together," he said.