New York overdose deaths dropped in 2024
New York state had a 32% drop in overdose last year, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday.
Also, the commissioner of the Office of Addiction Services and Supports visited the RISE Above residential rehabilitation program in Ballston Spa. This was part of a statewide tour to assess the affect of opioid settlement funds on programs.
The state received the money from settlements with companies involved in manufacturing, distributing, and selling opioids. Dr. Chenezo Cunningham met with staff to discuss their street outreach and engagement program that brings services and supplies directly to people struggling with substance use in underserved areas of Saratoga County.
“Well, it’s saving lives is the bottom line. And, you know, so many lives have been lost from overdose related to opioids. And these dollars are specifically about making sure that we can prevent that from happening. And that is what’s happening,” Cunningham said.
Among the items that are working is expanding access to treatment and harm reduction supplies such as Naloxone and fentanyl test strips.
“Our role is meeting individuals where they’re at in the community and trying to keep them live, essentially, and meeting them wherever they’re at with their recovery goals,” said Dr. Victoria Furfaro, director of advocacy for RISE Above.
“So, for some individuals, that might mean meeting up with them at a campsite and providing them, you know, supplies, socks, blankets, warm items, food, water. And then over time, you continue to visit them, you build that rapport,” Furfaro added.