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City cites progress on overdose response while urging sustained investment in supportive housing and 988
Summary
DOH officials said overdose deaths fell 28% in 2024 after years of investments in naloxone distribution, hospital peer programs and outreach; the department urged continued and baseline funding for programs including supportive housing, Relay hospital peer outreach and 988 crisis services to keep gains intact.
Lede: DOH and Council members highlighted a 28% drop in overdose deaths in 2024 and tied the decline to sustained investments—naloxone distribution, Relay hospital peer outreach and the Drug Intelligence & Intervention Group—but stressed that continued baseline funding and supportive housing expansion are essential to sustain progress.
Nut graf: Commissioner Martin said the decline in overdose deaths was achieved through a network of harm‑reduction investments: 300,000 naloxone kits distributed last year, expanded hospital‑based Relay peer outreach (1,600 patients reached in 2025 with 95% accepting services in ER), and $4M baseline opioid settlement funding tied to DIG. The department emphasized housing as a structural intervention, citing progress toward the 15,000‑unit supportive housing goal.
Body: Martin described community health workers, Hospital Relay peer programs and the city’s naloxone distribution as central to recent declines. "Relay reached nearly 1,600 patients in 2025 alone," he said, reporting high acceptance of services. DOH noted it has baselineed $4M of opioid settlement funds to sustain DIG staffing and outreach. Council members pressed for details on vacant DIG roles (DOH said 7 of 11 DIG positions were filled and four were in recruitment).
On housing, DOH reiterated the 15 over 15 supportive housing initiative and said the city has surpassed 13,000 units across programs and remains on track, while acknowledging scattered‑site procurement challenges and plans to prioritize congregate options where feasible. Health officials also described investments and staffing for Legionella response, tuberculosis contact work and sexual health clinics announced in the preliminary plan.
Ending: The department asked for continued council support to baseline opioid settlement and housing investments and to sustain the capacity of 988 and hospital peer outreach programs. Council and the agency agreed on follow‑up data requests (DIG staffing lists, 988 contact metrics and supportive housing vacancy timelines) to inform budget adoption.
