Overdose deaths have nearly doubled from pre-pandemic levels in New York City, according to new city data.that 1,233 people died from drug overdoses during the first half of 2021, the most recent period available.
That’s a startling 78% increase from the same period in 2019, and a 28% increase from the same period in 2020.Some deaths are still subject to final determination, with more-recent quarters “subject to larger increases,” the DOH said, as drugs are found to explain even more deaths.The federal Drug Enforcement Agency recorded record inflows of the drug to New York City in 2021, seizing more than a ton in the city that year.
“Throughout my 30 years in law enforcement, I have never seen anything with greater killing power,” DEA New York Division acting special agent in charge Tim Foley previously told The Post.Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesDrug organizations in Mexico manufacture the drug, using chemicals sourced from China, according to the DEA.