NYC battles soaring drug overdoses

New data from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene show that from 2010 to 2013, drug overdose deaths in the metropolis increased by 41 percent - from 8.2 to 11.6 per 100,000 New Yorkers.

According to the new Epi Data Brief, 77 percent of drug overdose deaths in 2013 involved opioids, which include opioid analgesics (prescription painkillers), methadone and heroin. On average, more than one fatal opioid overdose occurs each day.

Heroin is playing an increasing role in overdose deaths in New York City, with related fatalities doubling from 3.1 per 100,000 residents in 2010 to 6.2 per 100,000 New Yorkers in 2013.

Patterns of opioid overdose deaths differ by borough. On Staten Island, opioid analgesics-involved overdose deaths fell by 32 percent, reversing a more than fourfold upward trend that occurred between 2005 and 2011.

The city health department responded in 2012 to this sharp increase in overdoses by implementing a multipronged approach.

Troubling increase

"After seeing a troubling increase in opioid overdose deaths in Staten Island, the department took an aggressive approach to save lives," said Health Commissioner Mary Bassett. "Though we have seen progress in Staten Island, there is still much more work to be done."

As part of those efforts, the health department funds 14 syringe access programs for New Yorkers who use drugs, including heroin.

These programs also provide counseling, education about the risks of drug abuse and overdose prevention services. In response to increasing heroin overdose deaths, the department is increasing overdose prevention services in targeted areas.

It also distributes naloxone to syringe access programs and other programs in New York City. This medication immediately reverses the effects of heroin and prescription painkillers, and can save lives if bystanders and other first responders administer it to an overdosing person.

To promote safe and judicious opioid prescribing, the health department developed guidelines for physicians and hospital emergency rooms in conjunction with clinical advisory groups. The guidelines have been adopted by 38 hospitals across New York City.

Stable lives

The health department is also partnering with two hospitals in Queens - Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Flushing Hospital Medical Center - to promote safe and judicious prescribing of opioid analgesics.

The department is also promoting access to treatment for opioid addiction, including medication-assisted treatment through buprenorphine and methadone. These treatments reduce the risk of overdose among those suffering from opioid addiction, and help people regain their ability to function as family members, gain employment and lead stable lives.

(China Daily 08/30/2014 page10)