The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced the expansion of its peer-led overdose prevention program, Relay, to a 16th location at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center. Data indicate a declining trend in overdose deaths, with 441 confirmed cases reported in the early months of 2025—the lowest since 2020. This follows a decrease from 3,056 deaths in 2023 to 2,192 in 2024, according to the City of New York.
Zohran Kwame Mamdani has emphasized support for programs like Relay, highlighting their role in reaching individuals during critical moments and providing avenues for recovery. Dr. Michelle Morse affirmed the city’s commitment to funding evidence-based overdose prevention initiatives. The Health Department report notes that Relay’s approach centers on leveraging community support as a key component of recovery and harm reduction.
Relay operates on a peer-to-peer model in which individuals who experience a nonfatal opioid overdose are connected with a Wellness Advocate within an hour of arriving at the emergency department. These advocates, drawing on their own lived experience, provide immediate support and continue to assist patients for 90 days following discharge. Since the program began, advocates have distributed over 10,000 naloxone kits, delivered nearly 15,000 risk reduction education sessions, and made more than 6,000 referrals to other service providers. In 2024 alone, Relay served 1,768 patients, with 94% accepting services while still in the emergency department.
Wyckoff Heights Medical Center President and CEO, Vali Gache, highlighted the significance of the Relay program and expressed appreciation for the partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Alan D. noted in an interview the program’s ability to provide both hope and essential resources to individuals in need. Political leaders across the city, including Jennifer Gutierrez, Antonio Reynoso, and Maritza Davila, have expressed support for the program’s expansion and its benefits to local communities.
Individuals experiencing substance use challenges can access confidential support through the 988 hotline, which connects callers to counselors at any time. Additional resources are available on the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website. The city’s ongoing investment in programs like Relay, including the use of opioid settlement funds, reflects a strategy focused on combining evidence-based approaches with timely and community-centered support.
