ALBANY -- The number of opioid overdose deaths in New York surged again, growing 29 percent between 2015 and 2016, a report Thursday showed.
The Rockefeller Institute of Government reviewed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, finding growth in deaths in New York.
The year-over-year increase was the largest in six years, the think tank said.
"The data continue to show that New York's opioid crisis is deepening, despite well-intentioned interventions at every level of government," Jim Malatras, president of the group, said in a statement.
"This will not come as a shock to anyone on the frontlines of the crisis.”
From 2015 to 2016, the number of opioid-related deaths increased from 3,009 deaths to 3,894 deaths, according to the Rockefeller report.
From 2010 to 2016, the number of opioid deaths rose by 121 percent in New York from 1,760 in 2010 to 3,894 in 2016.
The data showed a reversal in a previous trend: The drug deaths increased 39 percent in New York City and 23 percent in the rest of the state between 2015 and 2016. Previous years had shown the opposite.
The numbers in some counties were staggering, and the highest rates were among men and those in the 25 to 34 age group.
Broome County had an increase in deaths from 40 to 95 between 2015 to 2016, while the opioid deaths more than doubled in Ontario County, from 11 to 23.
In 2015, Westchester County had 117 opioid deaths, but grew 28 percent to 150 in 2016, the most recent data available.
Over that same time, the number of opioid deaths in Tompkins County rose 50 percent from 16 deaths in 2015 to 24 deaths in 2016.
The majority of states saw an increase in the number of opioid deaths per 100,000 people, the report said.
New York was ranked 34th in 2015 with a rate of 15.2 opioid deaths for every 100,000 people. In 2016, it rose to 27th with a rate of 19.7 deaths per capita.
In Chemung County, the number of opioid deaths increased by 64 percent from 14 deaths in 2015 to 23 deaths in 2016.
Some counties had a small increase: Dutchess County's death toll rose from 65 to 67 over the two years.
In Monroe County, the increase was 25 percent, from 105 to 131 deaths.
New York has enacted new laws and put more money toward treatment and prevention.
The current state budget includes more than $200 million for addiction program, with the majority designated for community-based providers.
