ALBANY — New York State has seen a 10% decrease in drug overdose deaths in recent months, following a national trend, according to the CDC. Chinazo Cunningham, commissioner of the state’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports, attributes the decline to increased investment in drug detection and treatment, including the state’s free program offering Naloxone kits and test strips by mail.
However, Cunningham noted that overdose deaths from stimulant use, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, continue to rise, with fentanyl often mixed in. She also pointed out higher overdose death rates among Black and Native American populations. The state has distributed over 190,000 Naloxone kits to residents.