## New York State’s Thorough Response too the Opioid and Substance Use Crisis
New York State is undertaking a multi-faceted approach to combat the opioid and substance use crisis, prioritizing harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support for all communities. This commitment is demonstrated through important investment and expanded access to vital resources.
The state’s efforts are geographically broad, reaching communities across New York, as evidenced by the distribution of resources to locations like the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-hudson Bridge area,Grand Central Terminal,Albany International Airport,the MTA LIRR East End gateway at Penn Station,the Fairport lift Bridge,Moynihan Train Hall,and the Walkway Over the Hudson.A cornerstone of this strategy is widespread access to opioid overdose prevention tools. The New york State Department of Health currently oversees over 1,400 registered programs, encompassing over 6,000 sites – including community organizations, non-profits, libraries, bookstores, and schools – that provide free naloxone and overdose prevention training. Since August 2022, over 1.2 million naloxone kits have been distributed statewide.Further expanding access, the New York State office of addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) offers a convenient online portal where any New York State resident can order fentanyl and xylazine test strips, as well as naloxone, at no cost. To date, OASAS has distributed over 13.7 million fentanyl test strips, more than 10.5 million xylazine test strips, and over 348,000 naloxone kits.
The state is also bolstering its network of community-based drug user health hubs, providing a critical safety net for vulnerable New Yorkers. These hubs offer services including overdose prevention details, hepatitis C treatment, harm reduction resources, and rapid access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder. Focused support is directed towards communities disproportionately affected by overdose, including communities of color, areas with high overdose rates, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and young people. Ongoing efforts are dedicated to monitoring the drug supply to proactively inform both people who use drugs and the public about emerging threats.
Funding is also allocated to increase access to medication for addiction through new programs, mobile units, and expanded availability within correctional facilities. Initiatives include outreach and referral programs with transportation assistance, support for recovery centers, workforce advancement for addiction professionals, and public awareness campaigns.
New York State has secured over $409 million in Opioid Settlement Funds – the largest amount of any state – to support a comprehensive continuum of addiction care encompassing prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery.
Individuals seeking information on harm reduction programs, opioid overdose prevention program registration, or access to buprenorphine through the Buprenorphine Assistance Program (Bupe-AP) can visit the Office of Drug User Health website. Comprehensive addiction treatment options,including crisis/detox,inpatient,residential,and outpatient care,are available through the NYS OASAS website.
New Yorkers struggling with addiction, or those concerned about loved ones, can find confidential support 24/7 by calling the state’s HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or texting HOPENY to 467369.
