Staten Island Records Largest Overdose Death Decrease in New York City as DA McMahon Highlights Promising Data Contained in City’s Department of Health Report
According to the comprehensive report, from 2023 to 2024, rates of opioid overdose death decreased in the City the most among Staten Island residents (49% decline) with the borough recording 81 lives lost to the overdose epidemic, compared to 145 recorded deaths in 2023.
According to Data Provided by the New York City Department of Health, Staten Island Dropped to the Fourth Highest Rate of Overdose Death in 2024, Compared to the Second Highest Rate in 2023
Not a Single Staten Island Neighborhood Remains in the Top 10 Localities Most Impacted by the Overdose Crisis in New York City
Editor’s note: Readers learned all about the hotspotting program, that has been in use on the island successfully, and has played a part in this overdose death reduction (see video of the recovery walk from several years back). Reducing opioid deaths on Staten Island and citywide must be a community wide effort, with the cooperation of local politicians as well as the other providers mentioned below.
On Friday, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon highlighted the promising decline in overdose deaths on Staten Island as reported by the New York City Department of Health’s Epi Data Brief for Unintentional Drug Poisoning (Overdose) Deathsin New York City in 2024. According to the comprehensive report, from 2023 to 2024, rates of opioid overdose death decreased in the City the most among Staten Island residents (49% decline) with the borough recording 81 lives lost to the overdose epidemic, compared to 145 recorded deaths in 2023. While overdose deaths decreased across all of New York City’s five boroughs in 2024, the largest decrease occurred among Staten Island residents.
“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. “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), 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. 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. While one overdose death is one too many, and 81 lives lost last year is wholly unacceptable, 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. Our HOPE program, Ripples of HOPE, direct outreach to individuals in crisis by our peer navigators, and our collaboration on Hotspotting are just a few examples of our borough’s unique approach to this public safety and health crisis.”
“The downward trend in overdose deaths citywide is promising and welcome news, but we still need to remain vigilant. We are pleased that overdose deaths on Staten Island have fallen nearly 50% in the past year, from 2nd to 4th across the five boroughs. This is progress, and a huge credit to the island-wide efforts of District Attorney Michael McMahon, the New York City Police Department, and our health institutions, who diligently help people struggling with addiction,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. “Just as important is the effort to prevent the distribution of the drugs and to hold those who do so accountable. One overdose death is one too many, and we will continue working with our partners on the Staten Island Fentanyl and Opioid Task Force so that hopefully, one day, no family has to experience the pain of losing a loved one to addiction and overdose.”
According to the Department of Health’s Epi Data Brief, Staten Island reported the fourth highest rate of overdose death in New York City in 2024, compared to the second highest rate in 2023. Additionally, rates of fatal overdose decreased by approximately 50% in multiple neighborhoods across Staten Island hardest hit by the epidemic, including St. George, Stapleton, South Beach, Willowbrook, and Tottenville. In 2023, multiple Staten Island neighborhoods were designated as overdose epicenters by the New York City Department of Health. As of last year, not a single Staten Island location was remotely close to ranking in the top 10 localities most impacted by the overdose crisis.
“The nearly 50 percent decline in overdose deaths on Staten Island, the largest decrease in New York City, marks a powerful turning point for our community. 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,” said Meagan Sills, SVP and President at Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital. “Staten Island University Hospital remains steadfast in building on this momentum by expanding access to treatment, advancing prevention and education, and working toward a future where no life is lost to addiction.”
“The sharp decline in overdose deaths on Staten Island in 2024 reflects what can be achieved when committed partners unite around data-driven care, harm reduction, and recovery supports. Through the Hotspotting Program, SI PPS has helped lead a proactive, coordinated model that identifies and engages individuals at highest risk before tragedy occurs. While this progress is deeply encouraging, the loss of 81 lives last year remains a profound reminder of why our work must continue. The inequity in the distribution of Opioid Settlement Funds disadvantages the Staten Island community and the providers who work 24/7 to prevent the next fatality. We strongly urge that direct distributions to each county in New York City be made as they are in every other county in New York State,” said Dr. Joseph Conte, Executive Director, Staten Island Performing Provider System / Social Care Network
Banner Image: Fentanyl awareness event. Image Credit – DA McMahon
