Drug Test - Flushing, NY

Flushing, New York - Drug Testing

Substance abuse statistics for Flushing, NY

Flushing, New York: Drug abuse trends

During the COVID-19 pandemic, drug overdose deaths sharply increased in Flushing, Queens. In 2019, drug overdoses caused about 268 deaths. Just a year later, the number spiked to 391 people who lost their lives due to fatal drug overdoses.

Seventy-one percent of all drug overdose deaths in Queens in 2020 were connected to fentanyl or fentanyl derivatives. Since fentanyl is often laced with other drugs, people usually do not even know they are taking it before it's too late.

In the second half of 2021, Queens suffered its deadliest fiscal year ever recorded for homeless people at 632 fatal overdoses. A report from 2021 states that 640 New Yorkers who overdosed also experienced homelessness at the time.

Local initiatives to curb drug abuse in Flushing, NY

New York City is a leader in the nation in responding to substance abuse and drug overdose. In late 2009, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene dispensed naloxone kits as part of a prevention program across the city and has continued to do so every year since. In 2014, NYC established the first jail-based naloxone distribution program. The program distributed naloxone to families and visitors of inmates at high risk of overdose once released from jail. In 2015, naloxone became available without a prescription in participating pharmacies. In 2016, the Department of Homeless Services trained shelter providers on naloxone administration.

By 2022, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is projected to be available to another 20,000 people in New York. This type of treatment uses drugs that help reduce the cravings of opioids and ease adverse withdrawal effects during the recovery process.

Last updated 8/12/2022