Monday, August 10, 2026

The price of irrational compassion

Almost half of NYC homeless deaths tied to drug overdoses or alcohol abuse: study


Almost half of the deaths of New York City’s homeless population were tied to drugs and alcohol, an eye-opening new report found.

Some 285 of the 634 homeless residents who died in a one-year stretch from 2024-25 lost their lives because of drug addiction, overdoses or alcoholism, the Departments of Health and Social Services/Homeless Services said in its 2026 report.

The analysis, which covers documented deaths from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, includes deaths in temporary shelters as well as on the streets, in subways, abandoned properties or while in an acquaintance’s home.

A homeless woman seen on a sidewalk near the Intrepid Museum in Manhattan on July 18, 2026. Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Post

Most homeless people — 58% — died in a hospital while 22% of unsheltered residents died outdoors.




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