The number of drug overdose deaths in New York City is on the decline. According to a report released by the New York City Department of Health on the 17th, the number of drug overdose deaths in 2023 will be 3,046, a decrease of 0.78% (24 people) from the previous year’s 3,070. It is the first decline last year after increasing for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022. However, the racial gap has deepened.
While the number of whites decreased by 12.8% (101 people) from 792 the previous year to 691, the number of blacks increased by 1.4% (15 people) from 1,057 the previous year to 1,072, and the number of Latinos increased by 2.3% (24 people) from 1,053 the previous year to 1,077.
The analysis is that while the number of whites and Asians decreased, the number of blacks and Latinos is still increasing. In terms of racial ratio, blacks and Latinos each accounted for 35% of the total, or 70%, while whites accounted for 23%, Asians 1%, and other races 5%, with blacks and Latinos overwhelmingly outnumbering them.
By borough, the Bronx recorded the most deaths at 30%, followed by Brooklyn at 26%, Manhattan at 24%, Queens at 16%, and Staten Island at 5%. In particular, the mortality rate increased in some low-income areas of Manhattan’s East Harlem and the Bronx, while the mortality rate decreased by 9% in wealthier areas. By gender, 69.4% were male and 26.6% were female.
The most common narcotic drugs that led to death were opioids and fentanyl, followed by cocaine, alcohol, and heroin.