Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says fatal drug overdoses decreased by more than 14% in the year ending in June 2024. It’s a trend New York appears to be falling in line with, but experts say there is still a lot of work left to do.

What You Need To Know

  • Albany County is using $1.5 million in opioid settlement funds to bolster initiatives battling addiction

  • Like the nation and state, Albany County saw fewer overdose deaths in 2024

  • As of Dec. 7, there were 83 overdose deaths, compared to 126 in 2023 and 131 in 2022

Albany County is the latest to roll out new funding meant to expand addiction prevention, education, treatment and recovery services.

“We don’t have enough dollars, we don’t have the resources, we can’t hire the case workers,” said county Legislator Wanda Willingham. “That is what addiction does, and that is the condition that we find ourselves in.”

The $1.5 million comes via the state’s opioid settlement fund.

“They knew. They know when they’re giving these prescription drugs out. They know that someone is addicted, and it keeps going on,” said County Executive Dan McCoy. “Where does the obligation end?”

The money will help support the hiring of additional staff at the county’s Crime Victims and Sexual Violence Center, extend its hours and reach. Data collection, organization and case management at the Coroners’ Office will be improved. The county’s Department of Mental Health will hire nurse practitioners to better support treatment and mobile outreach and the Department of Health will bolster its prevention campaigns and harm reduction resources.

“These are force multipliers in terms of getting the help out to meet the demand,” said Department of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Stephen Giordano.

Much like the nation and state, Albany County saw fewer overdose deaths in 2024. McCoy said as of Dec. 7, there were 83 compared, to 131 in 2022 and 126 deaths in 2023.

“One thing we learn through all the data, analytics and everything else is that we can’t let our foot off the gas,” he said.

Experts said it’s investments like these that are making a difference.

“There is a lot of money that is coming to New York state up and thru 2039 from opioid settlement litigation,” Giordano said.

Less than a year ago, the county made another significant investment, totaling more than $2.3 million across 14 community organizations dedicated to similar initiatives, tackling opioid use disorder around the county.

“It’s not just about placing a case manager or social worker,” said county Legislature chair Joanne Cunningham. “It’s also about the backup and the supplies and the programmatic elements that they need to launch to launch this.”