New York Faces Rising Number of Overdose Deaths Due to Fentanyl-Laced Drugs
A growing threat is claiming the lives of an increasing number of New Yorkers. Drugs laced with fentanyl and xylazine have led to more overdose deaths than ever before. According to data from New York’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), the opioid overdose death rate has more than quadrupled in the last decade, with 5,413 New Yorkers dying in 2022 alone – roughly one death every two hours.
This alarming trend has grabbed the attention of state leaders, who are determined to combat this devastating epidemic. New York has secured over $2.6 billion in pharmaceutical settlements, specifically dedicated to addressing drug addiction and prevention.
Justice Mills, a 33-year-old mother from Watertown, is one of the many New Yorkers who fell victim to addiction. Mills, once a high school basketball star with dreams of playing in college, was prescribed opioids for a back injury, which ultimately led her down a destructive path.
“It was something that I thought was bringing us closer together,” Mills stated. She began abusing prescription pills in an attempt to maintain her boyfriend’s attention. However, her addiction quickly escalated, with stronger drugs and higher doses becoming the norm. Mills eventually discovered that her pills had been mixed with heroin. Despite attempts to quit, the fear of withdrawal pushed her further into the grip of addiction.
In just seven years, Mills went from taking prescribed opioids to engaging in sex work to fund her heroin habit. She reached rock-bottom when a male customer assaulted her and left her alone in a public restroom. This harrowing experience prompted Mills to seek help and regain control of her life.
Mills found hope and support at the Credo Community Center, a methadone clinic in Watertown. Methadone, a medication used to wean addicts off heroin, helps individuals break free from the unending cycle of drug use and withdrawal. Mills expresses her gratitude for the treatment, stating, “Withdrawal and the pain of withdrawal fueled all of my bad decisions from day one all the way through.”
Fortunately, assistance is on the way for Mills and others battling addiction in communities across New York. With the $2.6 billion gained through lawsuits against opioid-related companies, OASAS has been tasked with distributing these funds to make a real impact. The Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board, comprising medical professionals, organizations, and individuals directly affected by opioid addiction, has outlined a list of priorities for the funding, which OASAS is now implementing.
OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham emphasizes that the $2.6 billion will not solve the problem entirely, but it is a significant amount that can make a substantial difference. The funds will be distributed over 18 years, with $64 million already allocated to local municipalities. Importantly, the money must be spent exclusively on addressing the needs of individuals with addiction, not on unrelated infrastructure projects.
OASAS plans to focus heavily on harm reduction, increasing their outreach and engagement initiatives. By meeting people where they are, with investments in mobile treatment, telehealth, and outreach, barriers to recovery can be broken down. Cunningham notes that while there is no guarantee of success, monitoring and measurement will allow them to adjust strategies and eliminate ineffective practices.
For Justice Mills, who has been in recovery for five years, the hope is that this influx of funding and innovative approach to combating the opioid crisis will help others escape the clutches of addiction. “My life is amazing now, and it’s something I thought I would never have. So, it’s a very unreal feeling,” she shares.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please reach out to the New York Hopeline at 1-877-8-HOPE-NY for assistance and support.