Drug overdoses are a serious public health issue that affects millions of people in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 93,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2020, the highest number ever recorded. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation, as many people have faced increased stress, isolation, and disruption of treatment and harm reduction services.
While drug overdoses are a nationwide problem, some areas are more affected than others. In particular, one city in New York State has been named the drug overdoses capital of the state, based on the latest data from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).
The Drug Overdoses Capital of New York State
The city that has the dubious distinction of being the drug overdoses capital of New York State is Buffalo, the second-largest city in the state and the seat of Erie County. According to the NYSDOH, Buffalo had the highest rate of drug overdose deaths among the 62 counties in the state in 2020, with 49.8 deaths per 100,000 population. This is more than double the state average of 23.1 deaths per 100,000 population.
Buffalo also had the highest number of drug overdose deaths in absolute terms, with 1,297 deaths in 2020, followed by New York City with 1,280 deaths. However, New York City has a much larger population than Buffalo, so its rate of drug overdose deaths was lower, at 15.1 deaths per 100,000 population.
The main driver of the drug overdose crisis in Buffalo and elsewhere is the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Fentanyl can cause respiratory depression and death even in small doses, and users may not be aware of its presence or potency in their drugs.
The Causes and Consequences of the Drug Overdose Crisis in Buffalo
The drug overdose crisis in Buffalo is a complex and multifaceted problem that has no simple or single solution. Some of the factors that contribute to the high rate of drug overdoses in the city include:
Poverty and inequality: Buffalo is one of the poorest cities in the nation, with a poverty rate of 30.9% in 2019, compared to the national average of 12.3%. Poverty and inequality can create conditions that increase the risk of substance use and addiction, such as lack of access to education, employment, health care, and social support.
Mental health and trauma: Many people who use drugs struggle with mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder. These issues can be exacerbated by the trauma of violence, abuse, neglect, and discrimination that many people in Buffalo face. Mental health and trauma can also make it harder for people to seek and receive treatment and recovery services.
Stigma and criminalization: People who use drugs often face stigma and criminalization from society, which can deter them from accessing harm reduction and treatment services, such as naloxone, syringe exchange, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and peer support. Stigma and criminalization can also increase the isolation and marginalization of people who use drugs, which can increase the risk of overdose and death.
The drug overdose crisis in Buffalo has devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Some of the impacts of the crisis include:
Loss of life and potential: Drug overdoses claim the lives of thousands of people in Buffalo every year, most of whom are young and in their prime of life. Each death represents a loss of human potential, as well as a source of grief and trauma for the loved ones left behind.
Economic and social costs: Drug overdoses impose significant economic and social costs on Buffalo and the state of New York. According to a study by the American Action Forum, the total economic cost of the opioid crisis in New York State was $179.4 billion from 2015 to 2018, or $9,155 per capita. The economic cost includes the loss of productivity, health care expenditures, criminal justice expenses, and social welfare spending. The social cost includes the erosion of social capital, community cohesion, and civic engagement.
Public health and safety challenges: Drug overdoses pose public health and safety challenges for Buffalo and the state of New York. For example, the increased use of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids has increased the risk of exposure and overdose for first responders, such as police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. The increased use of injection drugs has also increased the risk of transmission of infectious diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis C, and endocarditis.
Conclusion
Drug overdoses are a major public health crisis that affects Buffalo and the state of New York. Buffalo has the highest rate and number of drug overdose deaths in the state, mainly due to the prevalence of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. The drug overdose crisis in Buffalo is driven by multiple factors, such as poverty, mental health, trauma, stigma, and criminalization, and has severe consequences for individuals, families, communities, and society.
To address the drug overdose crisis in Buffalo, a comprehensive and coordinated approach is needed, involving multiple stakeholders and sectors, such as health care, law enforcement, education, social services, and civil society. The approach should be based on evidence, compassion, and human rights, and should aim to prevent drug overdoses, treat substance use disorders, reduce harm, and promote recovery and well-being.