Big Change In NYC Overdose Deaths, New Data Shows

NEW YORK CITY — The New York City Department of Health has announced that overdose deaths in New York City decreased in 2023 for the first time in four years.

The number of overdose deaths in New York City in 2023 was 3,046 — a 1 percent decrease from 3,070 in 2022, according to data released Thursday.

In addition, according to provisional data, there were 616 overdose deaths in the first quarter of 2024, the lowest quarter on record since 2020.

“A 1 percent decrease in drug overdose fatalities may not seem like a statistic worth celebrating to some — but those are still 24 fewer lives that were lost this past year, 24 families who still have their loved one around — and I believe that is a milestone worth recognizing,” Mayor Eric Adams said.

Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said while still early, "it appears that work is having an impact and saving lives."

While the number of deaths decreased citywide, disparities by race/ethnicity, age, gender, and neighborhood of residence persist, officials said.

Rates of overdose death remain highest among Black and Latino New Yorkers and New Yorkers ages 55 to 64.

Residents of the Bronx continued to have the highest rate of overdose death (78.0 per 100,000), followed by residents of Staten Island (40.1 per 100,000), Manhattan (36.0 per 100,000), Brooklyn (32.9 per 100,000) and Queens (24.5 per 100,000).

Hunts Point-Mott Haven, Crotona-Tremont, Highbridge-Morrisania, East Harlem, and Fordham-Bronx Park residents experienced the highest rates of fatal overdoses for the third year in a row, officials said.

Fentanyl was present in 80 percent of all overdose deaths in 2023 and remained the most common substance involved in overdose deaths, according to the data.

Xylazine, a non-opioid sedative, was involved in 31 percent of opioid-involved overdose deaths in 2023, an increase from 22 percent in 2022.

Similar to previous years, about 70 percent of overdose deaths occurred inside a residence. Almost a quarter of overdose deaths occurred in a public setting, officials said.