Overdose deaths Long Island
Long Island overdose deaths that families read about have dropped once more. The CDC counted 1,725 deaths during the 12 months through May 2026. The decline is genuine, yet every one of those numbers was still a human being.
- overdose deaths, 12 months
- 1,725
- change from the previous year
- -10%
- centers explain naloxone use
- 83
Overdose deaths on Long Island have gone down compared with a year earlier, and that counts for something. Still, losing 1,725 people in one year remains a steep cost for a community of this size. Each figure reflects a family that received a phone call, a friend who sensed something was wrong, or someone who had been working to quit. The statistics shown here are the CDC's provisional tallies covering the 12 months through May 2026, so revisions are possible. They judge no one. They are grounds for learning what services are available and how to find them.
Across Long Island, 83 listed substance use treatment facilities are available, from outpatient programs through residential care. That number comes from SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov and covers options for alcohol, opioids, and mental health conditions that occur alongside addiction. A few weeks of structured care fits some people; others do better with outpatient visits built around work and family. The right level of care depends on the person, the substance involved, and how long they have used it. One free call to the helpline can help sort this out with no pressure.
Which drugs drive overdose deaths
Opioids remain the largest driver, with 1,160 opioid-involved deaths in the latest period, down 16 percent from 1,374. Fentanyl accounts for most of that toll: 952 deaths, an 18 percent decrease from 1,162. Heroin deaths fell to 52 from 77, a 32 percent drop, and prescription opioid deaths edged down to 236 from 246. The direction is right, but fentanyl is still involved in more than half of all overdose deaths counted. Cocaine and methamphetamine are part of the picture too. Cocaine-involved deaths dropped to 843 from 1,009, still a large number. Methamphetamine deaths fell to 235 from 282. Many of these deaths involve more than one substance, often an opioid mixed in without the person's knowledge. For anyone worried about alcohol or drug use, a Long Island treatment center that offers dual diagnosis care can address both the substance and the mental health side together. About 69 facilities listed on the island offer telehealth, which helps when transportation or schedules are barriers.
| Drug | Past year | Prior year | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths from any drug overdose | 1,725 | 1,926 | -10% |
| All opioid types | 1,160 | 1,374 | -16% |
| Synthetic opioids, fentanyl included | 952 | 1,162 | -18% |
| Heroin (opioid) | 52 | 77 | -32% |
| Prescription opioid painkillers | 236 | 246 | -4% |
| Methamphetamine (stimulant) | 235 | 282 | -17% |
| Cocaine (stimulant) | 843 | 1,009 | -16% |
Drinking and mental health in New York
Percentage of adults across 1,280 towns and cities in New York, based on CDC PLACES estimates (2023).
| Adults with | New York |
|---|---|
| Binge drinking | 16.6% |
| Ongoing mental strain | 15.6% |
| Depression diagnoses | 17.3% |
| People who currently smoke | 11.5% |
| Without coverage (18-64) | 9.1% |
Binge drinking by city in New York
| Town | Binge drinking | Ongoing mental strain | Without coverage (18-64) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smithtown | 17.0% | 13.3% | 4.3% |
| Huntington Station | 16.8% | 15.1% | 11.8% |
| Huntington | 16.6% | 12.4% | 3.7% |
| Brentwood | 16.4% | 15.9% | 18.8% |
| Riverhead | 14.7% | 16.4% | 15.1% |
| Hicksville | 14.3% | 12.6% | 6.1% |
| Hempstead | 13.8% | 17.1% | 15.9% |
Reading the numbers for treatment
A count that drops does not mean danger has ended for any individual. It means more people are living long enough to receive help, and that treatment works for some of them. For anyone weighing their next move, the better question is not whether the totals rose or fell. It is which type of care suits this person right now. Rehab programs on Long Island include 17 detox facilities, 17 residential programs, 26 intensive outpatient programs, and 65 general outpatient options on SAMHSA's list. When a program advertises a service, it is reasonable to ask whether it is licensed and whether it takes your insurance or Medicaid.
When it is unclear whether someone needs outpatient care or detox, dialing the helpline can help you identify what to ask a program. Medical staff should supervise coming off alcohol and benzodiazepines because it can be risky; the helpline gives no dosing or tapering advice. People who use opioids should keep naloxone available, and in many places it can be purchased without a prescription. If insurance or cost is a worry, asking about Medicaid acceptance and the federal parity law may change what a program offers you.
Overdose deaths on Long Island trend
The all-drug overdose death count for Long Island fell 10 percent, from 1,926 in the prior 12-month period to 1,725 in the latest. That is 201 fewer deaths than a year earlier. Public health officials point to wider naloxone availability, more treatment slots, and stronger prescribing controls, though no single cause explains a trend. The decline is encouraging, not a finish line. Provisional data can change as investigations close.
If someone you care about has used opioids, having naloxone close by may buy time until help arrives. Naloxone is sold at pharmacies and offered through numerous community programs, with 83 naloxone access points listed around the island. It does not replace treatment. It keeps someone alive long enough to consider getting it. Long Island families can call the no-cost 24/7 helpline to ask about detox, rehab, and outpatient programs without giving a name. The conversation stays private and commits you to nothing.
- past year
- 1,725
- the preceding year
- 1,926
Good to know
How many overdose deaths Long Island in the latest count?
The CDC recorded 1,725 drug overdose deaths on Long Island in the twelve months through May 2026 which is a 10 percent decrease from 1,926 in the prior 12-month period. The figures are provisional and may be updated. Opioids were involved in 1,160 of those deaths, and fentanyl in 952.
Does Long Island have a drug problem?
Yes. The 1,725 overdose deaths in the latest 12-month period show a serious and ongoing problem, even with the decline. More than 80 substance use treatment facilities are listed on the island, including outpatient, residential, and medication-assisted options. The helpline can help identify which programs match a person's needs.
What is a residential treatment facility?
A residential treatment facility provides structured care in a live-in setting, usually for a few weeks to a few months. Long Island has 17 residential programs listed through SAMHSA. Residential care can suit someone who needs more support than outpatient visits provide. It is not the right fit for everyone, and a clinical assessment should guide the choice.
Does Medicaid cover addiction treatment on Long Island?
Medicaid in New York pays for substance use treatment, covering outpatient care and medication-assisted treatment, though what is covered and which providers are in-network varies. Several SAMHSA-listed facilities on Long Island accept Medicaid. A call to the free 24/7 helpline can help you verify what a given program accepts before you share any personal details.
What is the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) on Long Island?
An Intensive Outpatient Program offers structured therapy several times a week without overnight stays. Long Island has 26 IOPs listed by SAMHSA, along with 65 general outpatient programs. IOP can fit around work or family while providing more support than weekly counseling. A clinical assessment helps determine if IOP or a residential program is the better match.
Talk about overdose deaths on Long Beach
Maybe you are reading these numbers because someone you care about uses opioids, alcohol, or another substance, and the next move could simply be a conversation. The hotline is free of charge keeps everything you say private, and has treatment advisors working with licensed providers answering at all hours. They can explain how detox, inpatient rehab, and outpatient care differ, and help you prepare questions on insurance and Medicaid. No one will steer you toward a specific program, and calling places no requirement on you. If alcohol or benzodiazepines are part of the picture, ask about medical supervision before anyone stops. When opioids are involved, keep naloxone nearby.