‘Trying once can kill you:’ Local leaders get latest overdose data from Special Narcotics Prosecutor

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— The opioid crisis hit Staten Island as hard as anywhere in the U.S., and that was before fentanyl and “tranq” hit the streets.

Local leaders in government and law enforcement were briefed Monday by the city’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan on the latest data outlining overdoses, emerging trends, seizures and arrests pertaining to a rising number of fatalities, addiction and homelessness across New York City and the nation.

In a recent notice issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration, federal officials cautioned Americans to be wary of Xylazine, which is making the “deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier.”

Fentanyl has been found in close to 80% of recent overdose deaths on Staten Island, made worse now by Xylazine aka “zombie” or “sleep-cut,” noted the borough’s top prosecutor Monday.

Attending the briefing Monday were Borough President Vito Fossella, Assembly Members Mike Reilly (R-South Shore) and Mike Tannousis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn), Council Member and Public Safety Committee Chair Kamillah Hanks (D-North Shore) and Minority Leader Joe Borelli (R-South Shore). Also represented was staff for Council Member David Carr (R-Mid Island), Assembly member Charles Fall (D-North Shore), state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn) and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis.

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