Opioid overdose deaths are down in New York State for the first time since 2009

The number of deadly opioid overdoses dropped from 2017 to 2018.

Since 2016, the state has added nearly 500 new treatment beds, and more than 1,800 opioid treatment program slots.

Last year, nearly 32,000 people made at least one visit to a recovery center in the state.

Monday, CNYCentral spoke with Lon Fricano, the Director of Operations for TLC Medical Services, who says fewer overdose deaths does not mean fewer overdoses, and the opioid epidemic is still very much a problem.

Governor Cuomo announced that opioid overdose deaths in New York State is on the way down.

The Director of Operations for TLC Medical Services says Cayuga and Onondaga counties are two of the hardest hit counties for overdose deaths.

“The numbers fluctuate from year to year in terms of people who die, but that does not tell us how many people who are using drugs, or actively addicted and that number hasn’t changed and may be actively going up,” said Fricano.