A look at the opioid crisis across New York

Recent spikes in opioid overdoses have also taken place in suburban and rural areas — here's the breakdown of opioid-related emergency room visits and deaths in New YORK.

The idea behind an opioid tax is to punish pharmaceutical companies for their role in the opioid epidemic.

The idea behind an opioid tax is to punish pharmaceutical companies for their role in the opioid epidemic. STILLFX/Shutterstock

Drug epidemics have historically been limited to inner cities, but recent spikes in opioid overdoses have also taken place in suburban and rural areas – spurring unprecedented bipartisan efforts throughout the nation to combat opioid abuse.

New York provides a stark illustration of the demographics of the epidemic, with the per-capita rate of opioid overdoses in New York City being significantly lower than the rest of the state.

1,216: Total opioid-related deaths in NYC in 2017

2,137: Total opioid-related deaths in New York state outside NYC in 2017

Opioid overdose ER visits in New York

Opioid overdose ER visits in New York.
Source: State Department of Health

Overdose hot spots

The counties with more than 22 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 people in 2016.

New York counties with the highest overdose deaths.
Source: State Department of Health

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