Although only one-third of teens report drinking in the past 30 days in
NYC, half report binge drinking (5+ drinks in one event) during this
period.
Reduce Risky Alcohol Use and Drug Dependence
In NYC, although only half of adults report recently drinking, one-quarter (half of all drinkers) report binge drinking in the past 30 days. Heavy regular drinking and binge drinking (five+ drinks on one occasion) contribute to a wide range of serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, risky sex, injuries and violence. Drinking is associated with between 25% and 40% of injuries seen in emergency rooms each year and prompted more than 70,000 emergency-room visits among NYC adults last year alone. Each year, approximately 1,500 deaths among New Yorkers can be attributed to alcohol consumption.
Alcohol and drug use contribute to poor health, preventable injury and deaths in New York City. The policies and programs developed by the NYC Health Department focus on preventing injury, illness and a lifetime of alcohol and drug dependence.
In November of 2010, the NYC Health Department launched a poster campaign to generate attention to the hazards of excessive drinking. Learn more by downloading their Health Bulletin on excessive drinking.
FPHNY has worked with the NYC Health Department to implement the project listed below, which was intended to support Brooklyn Police Officers in their interactions with injecting drug users.