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For years, we’ve read the grim headlines: families shattered, communities hollowed out, lives lost to drugs far too soon. But now, for the first time in a while, we’re seeing signs of progress: fewer overdose emergencies, more lives saved and a nearly 32% statewide drop in drug-related deaths compared with last year.

That progress is the result of thoughtful steps such as expanded harm reduction tools, including greater naloxone availability, drug adulterant testing, medication-assisted treatment and proactive outreach.

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It’s proof that progress is possible. But it’s also proof of something else: When we treat the opioid crisis like the public health emergency it still is, we save lives.

Encouraging as the data may be, New York still trails neighboring states like New Jersey and Connecticut, which have seen even sharper declines. And the progress we do see is not reaching everyone. For Black New Yorkers, the overdose........

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