Exclusive | Revolutionary NYC program for addicts has fatal overdoses plummeting

Opioid overdose deaths have plummeted for addicts in a revolutionary treatment program on Staten Island, a new study shows — as officials look to expand it to help save more lives.

There were two fatal overdoses of 612 people participating in the “Hotspotting” program compared to 14 deaths for 1,089 addicts not engaged, according to new data from the initiative.

“As the five-alarm fire of the fentanyl and overdose crisis continues to rage, we must leave no stone unturned in our pursuit to save lives and put an end to this deadly epidemic,” said Staten Island DA Mike McMahon.

“Our Hotspotting Initiative has prevented countless overdoses while ensuring that some of Staten Island’s most at-risk populations are given the treatment and holistic support they need to improve their lives for the better.”

The participants were identified as having a high risk of ODing by using an analytics tool that Northwell Health’s Staten Island Performing Provider System developed with MIT.

The “Year 2” results from April 2023 to April 2024 showed a 77% drop in fatal overdoses for participants.

The analysis also showed a 36% reduction in non-fatal overdoses and 63% reduction in substance use disorder-related emergency room visits compared to opioid users not in the program.

The findings reveal that 98% of clients received harm reduction services — including naloxone kits, xylazine and fentanyl test strips, sterile syringes and access to syringe exchange programs.

Moreover, 100% of clients had a certified recovery peer advocate assigned to them and 99% completed social care screenings, according to the analysis.

These screenings connect patients to mental health, medical and social services as well as addiction treatment.

The Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS) is a joint collaboration with nine Staten Island organizations, including the Staten Island District Attorney’s Office, Northwell Health’s Staten Island University Hospital, and other community-based groups fighting the opioid crisis.

Hotspotting is launching a national advisory board and will expand to other parts of the city, program organizers and sponsors said.

The Robin Hood Foundation, the city’s largest local poverty-fighting philanthropic board, will be among those joining the board.

“Overdose rates demand urgent, data-driven solutions. The Hotspotting Program proves that
predictive analytics and targeted care save lives,” said Dr. Brahim Ardolic, president of Staten Island University Hospital, and senior VP at Northwell Health.

“Staten Island is leading the way, and this model must expand across New York.”

Former Staten Island Rep. Max Rose, who helped launch the program when he was in office, said the results have “clearly demonstrated that it is the leading overdose prevention initiative in the nation.

“With this demonstrable success in the program’s phase 2, we urge payors and health systems to adopt this innovative approach,” Rose said.

The number of overdose deaths in New York City in 2023 was 3,046 — a modest 1% decrease from 3,070 in 2022 — marking the first time the number of deaths has declined since 2018, the city Department of Health reported last October.

Over that period, the rate of OD deaths for Staten Island increased from 38.2 to 40.1 per 100,000 residents.

In 2023, Bronx residents had the highest rate of overdose death among the city’s boroughs –78 per 100,000 residents.

There 616 overdose deaths in the first quarter of 2024, the lowest quarter on record since 2020.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 30 to 50 times stronger than heroin, was present in 80%of all overdose deaths in 2023 and remained the most common substance involved in overdose deaths.

Xylazine, a potent non-opioid sedative, was involved in 31% of opioid-involved overdose deaths in 2023, an increase from 22% in 2022.

“Overdose continues to be a public health emergency. Every four hours, someone dies of a drug overdose in New York City,” the health department said.