Page 14 - The Indian EYE 122223

COMMUNITY OP-ED DECEMBER 22, 2023 | The Indian Eye 14

Saving Our City and New Yorkers

From The Opioid Crisis That Is

Now An Epidemic

Just last week, our administration announced $12 million in new funding for Staten Island,
which has been hit hard by the overdose epidemic. Staten Island accounts for five percent of all overdose deaths
citywide and has the city’s second highest overdose rate of the five boroughs

ERIC ADAMS
A
fatal overdose occurs in New
York City every 3 hours. The
opioid epidemic is a growing
public health crisis that we must end.
It has inflicted too much heartache in
our city. Manufacturers and distribu-
tors have hooked thousands of New
Yorkers on opioids and other pain-
killers. They have raked in billions of Last year was the deadliest year on record for overdose deaths in our city. In 2022 alone, over 3,000 New Yorkers died of a drug overdose (File photo)
dollars — profiting off of addiction
and tragedy while people’s lives have who secured billions of dollars from with the significant steps we have al- for prevention, harm reduction, sub-
been lost and destroyed. opioid manufacturers and distribu- ready taken to combat the opioid cri- stance use disorder treatment, and
Last year was the deadliest year tors, we are investing in our neigh- sis. Earlier this year, we released our
on record for overdose deaths in our borhoods across the five boroughs to mental health agenda, which out- recovery programs citywide, and
have distributed more than 200,000
city. In 2022 alone, over 3,000 New fight this epidemic and save lives. lines how we will expand access to
Yorkers died of a drug overdose — a Just last week, our administra- high-quality harm reduction services, Naloxone kits and tens of thousands
of fentanyl and xylazine test strips.
12 percent increase from 2021 — and tion announced $12 million in new and we set a bold goal of reducing It is devastating to lose a loved
fentanyl overdoses made up 81 per- funding for Staten Island, which has overdose deaths by 15 percent by 2025. one to an overdose. It impacts your
cent of those overdoses. been hit hard by the overdose ep- We also held the first ever two- family, friends, and community. It
I know the destruction that over- idemic. Staten Island accounts for day summit on the fentanyl crisis
dose epidemics can cause. I was a five percent of all overdose deaths that brought elected leaders, public impacts this city. Every overdose
death is a tragedy, but every over-
police officer during the 1980s, and citywide and has the city’s second health officials, and law enforcement
I saw how firsthand how crack dev- highest overdose rate of the five bor- professionals from across the coun- dose is also preventable.
We cannot repeat the mistakes
astated our communities. We cannot oughs. We listened to the concerns try to New York City to work towards of the past, and with these critical
sit back and let what happened to of leaders on the ground in Staten a national strategy to combat fentan- funds, we are tackling the opioid cri-
prior generations happen to our fam- Island, and we’re proud that this crit- yl overdoses.
ilies. This is the moment where we ical funding will make a real differ- And through intensive enforce- sis head on. Together, we are going
to reduce overdoses, save lives, and
must do everything in our power to ence, and ensure more New Yorkers ment, we have made hundreds of protect our communities.
confront and defeat the opioid crisis. can live long, healthy lives with their arrests of drug dealers and traffick-
Thanks to the efforts of New loved ones. ers. In addition to expanded enforce- Eric Adams is
York Attorney General Letitia James, This work goes hand-in-hand ment, we have increased our support the Mayor of New York City, NY

www.TheIndianEYE.com