Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Only 666 NY Overdose Deaths in '08
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Mar 1, 2010
Modified Mar 1, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Mar 1, 2010
Modified Mar 1, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In 2008 state fatalities due to crack, coke, heroin and other drug overdoses were down to their lowest in nearly a decade. Overdose deaths dropped more than a quarter from the previous year to 666, but don't thank Satan. Officials say an opiate antidote drug called naloxone, distributed by community groups as part of heroin users' emergency kits, may have helped lower the number. The AP reports that overdoses remain the third most common cause of death for New Yorkers between 25 and 34. Still the state's most ubiquitous illegal (though not for long?) drug remains marijuana.
Tagged
coke
crack
death
drug
heroin
nalaxone
opiates
overdose
pills
Sabrina Jaszi
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NJ early voting begins Saturday. Here's everything you need to know.
Our 2026 New Jersey voter’s guide for this year’s midterm elections.
By
Mike Hayes
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 11:01 a.m. ET
Countdown clocks are coming to an NYC bus stop near you
New York City bus service isn't exactly reliable, but new digital countdown clocks will give riders a better sense of how long they have to wait.
By
Stephen Nessen
News
Countdown clocks are coming to an NYC bus stop near you
New York City bus service isn't exactly reliable, but new digital countdown clocks will give riders a better sense of how long they have to wait.
By
Stephen Nessen
Are NJ schools unconstitutionally segregated? It's back to the courts to decide.
By
Colleen O'Dea
Early Addition: New Jersey considering a ban on chewing gum because of microplastics
By
James Ramsay
Queens mother charged with murdering her son after failed suicide attempt, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .