The deadly overdoses of drugs increased last year as the fentanyl crisis hits New York communities: Gothamist

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$heroin09.jpeg "src =" http://gothamist.com/attachments/nyc_joffenhartz/heroin09.jpeg "width =" 640 "height =" 458 "/> A heroin user places a fentanyl test strip in a mixing container to check for contamination. (Bebeto Matthews / AP / Shutterstock)</div> Last year, deadly drug overdoses continued to increase in New York, largely as a result of the increased consumption of fentanyl, which was detected in more than half of the 1,487 overdose deaths in 2017, according to a new report from the Department of Health. The number of deaths in 2017 is up from 1,374 fatal overdoses reported in 2016. The surge in the popularity of synthetic opioids has particularly affected the city's black population, particularly in the Hunts Point-Mott Haven and Highbridge-Morrisani neighborhoods of the South Bronx. For the first time in a decade, overdose rates among black New Yorkers have exceeded rates among whites and Latinos, officials said. "The drug overdose epidemic in New York continues, but the story of those affected is changing," said Acting Health Commissioner Dr Oxiris Barbot. "Yet the pace of growth has slowed and we are optimistic that the many efforts of HealingNYC are moving us in the right direction." Two years ago, Mayor Bill de Blasio launched a task force to fight the epidemic, after an impressive 66% increase in opioid deaths between 2010 and 2015. The mayor has promised to distribute thousands naloxone kits to affected communities and community-based organizations serving people at risk of overdose. "On Monday, the Department of Health announced that an additional 15,000 kits would be provided for overdose prevention programs. Opioids in the Bronx and that addiction medications would be available at 12 new treatment sites throughout the city. But advocates and former users have also criticized the mayor's "ban" approach to overdose deaths, noting that most of the $ 70 million allocated to opioid funding for police until 39 in 2021 will go to enforcement efforts. New York Drug Policy Alliance says crackdown on small opioid dealers may lead to fentanyl reduction of heroin because "producers and distributors While advocates for drug reform are delighted with the mayor's wish to explore safe injection facilities – an effort that is currently facing federal pressure – they claim that other aspects of the city's drug strategy has only worsened the crisis. "We have had New York City's Special Attorney for Drugs since the last drug crisis and it was a catastrophic failure," said Melissa Moore, Deputy Director of the New York Drug Policy Alliance. "By reviewing the results, with funding and resources allocated to this office, rather than to public health resources, we are experiencing the implications of this decision." The $ 375.6 million that the city allocates annually to this office for drug-related prosecutions would be better spent on public health resources, particularly harm reduction programs in vulnerable communities, she added. Studies have shown that the increase in drug-related arrests across the country between 1992 and 2002 has not resulted in a decrease in drug use. "Clearly, the approach to criminal justice has not worked," added Moore. </div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src =$ [ad_2]
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The deadly overdoses of drugs increased last year as the fentanyl crisis hits New York communities: Gothamist

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