Opinion: To curb the overdose crisis, New York State must invest in the behavioral health workforce
April 17, 2024 Michael T. McRae, PhD
An arrangement of Oxycodone pills. Photo: Mark Lennihan/AP
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We are facing a severe public health crisis in New York City: The opioid epidemic is reaching historic levels, and disparities in mental health outcomes are rampant, with Black and Brown people — many of whom are under 18 — bearing the brunt of the devastation. The ramifications are heart-wrenching and systemic, with countless families of color grieving the loss of a loved one.
In recent years, Gov. Kathy Hochul has made significant efforts to combat addiction, reduce overdose rates and address the mental health crisis. We applaud her commitment, and this focus cannot be overlooked.
Yet, the roots of this crisis touch nearly every part of public life – from the city’s housing crisis to inequitable access to acceptable healthcare. The behavioral healthcare workforce is no exception.