Copyright Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island’s significant drop in overdose deaths is being hailed by community leaders as a “powerful turning point” in the borough’s fight against addiction — however, several cautioned work still needs to be done. Deaths from accidental drug overdoses fell by about 49% for Island residents last year, dropping from 157 in 2023 to 81 in 2024, according to the latest statistics by the city Department of Mental Health and Hygiene. Staten Island had the fourth highest rate of overdose deaths in the five boroughs last year, falling from the second highest in 2023. The borough saw 76 fewer deaths last year, with the rate dropping from 40.2 to 20.7 per 100,000 residents, according to the Health Department. In line with national trends, unintentional overdose deaths tumbled 28% last year citywide, with decreases occurring in all five boroughs, according to the Health Department. Teamwork is key Borough leaders expressed cautious optimism about promising statistics. “The downward trend in overdose deaths citywide is promising and welcome news, but we still need to remain vigilant,” Borough President Vito Fossella said. “While there is still much work to do, the Staten Island approach to beating back the opioid and overdose epidemic is working,” said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. “My office is committed to doing everything in its power to defeat this deadly scourge. With that said, we cannot simply prosecute our way out of this epidemic.” Borough leaders stressed that teamwork was key to decreasing the number of fatal overdoses. McMahon and Fossella founded the Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force in September 2023 in response to the deadly fentanyl crisis. The task force is comprised of local leaders in law enforcement, government, health care, treatment and recovery, as well as individuals and families impacted by substance abuse disorder. “One overdose death is one too many, and we will continue working with our partners on the Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force so that hopefully, one day, no family has to experience the pain of losing a loved one to addiction and overdose,” Fossella said. “As chairman of the Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force, I know how critically important treatment providers, medical and health care professionals, and prevention specialists are in this fight,“ McMahon said. ”While one overdose death is one too many, and 81 lives lost last year is wholly unacceptable, and we renew our resolve to continue this fight, the encouraging statistics contained in this report are a testament to Staten Island’s united approach on this front and the shared commitment and continued collaboration of our partners to save as many lives as possible.” The borough president said that in addition to the many initiatives on the Island to help people suffering from substance use disorder, it is important “to prevent the distribution of the drugs and to hold those who do so accountable.” ‘A powerful turning point’ The nearly 50% decline in fatal overdoses on the Island “marks a powerful turning point for our community,” said Meagan Sills, president of Northwell Staten Island University Hospital. “The borough’s rate fell to its lowest level in more than a decade, reflecting years of collaboration among health care providers, law enforcement, treatment centers, and community partners.” The decline in overdose deaths “reflects what can be achieved when committed partners unite around data-driven care, harm reduction, and recovery supports,” Sills said. The AI-based Hotspotting the Overdose Epidemic Program, sponsored by Staten Island Performing Provider System, “has helped lead a proactive, coordinated model that identifies and engages individuals at highest risk before tragedy occurs,” said Dr. Joseph Conte, executive director of the Staten Island Performing Provider System/Social Care Network. McMahon touted his office’s innovative programs, from “implementing precision prosecution in the courtroom against drug dealers to diverting thousands of Staten Islanders in the throes of addiction into life-saving treatment programs to working with the NYPD to investigate every overdose death through our Overdose Response Initiative (ORI).”
