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Opioid overdose deaths have plummeted for addicts in a revolutionary treatment program on Staten Island, a new study shows — as officials look to expand it to help save more lives.

There were two fatal overdoses among 612 people participating in the “Hotspotting” program compared to 14 deaths for 1,089 addicts not engaged, according to new data from the initiative.

“As the five-alarm fire of the fentanyl and overdose crisis continues to rage, we must leave no stone unturned in our pursuit to save lives and put an end to this deadly epidemic,” said Staten Island DA Mike McMahon.

Providers of the Hotspotting the Overdose Epidemic program are claiming an astounding 77% drop in fatal drug overdoses for participants on Staten Island and plans are in the works to take the initiative nationwide.

Launched three years ago on our borough by the Staten Island Performing Provider System, the program uses artificial intelligence in its efforts to identify, engage and provide services to individuals at the highest risk for drug overdoses.

Ready Computing, a New York-based company, has a deep understanding of healthcare integrations and has been focused on delivering products and solutions to public and private sector clients for over a decade. Their Channels360 solution has been in service at the Staten Island PPS, a New York State Social Care Network awardee, for the past several years and supports several key operational functions, including outreach, screenings, assessments, closed-loop referral management, and delivering robust reporting data for tactical oversight and performance management.

New York is rolling out a new pilot program that uses Medicaid funding to help low-income residents access resources including housing, food and transportation. State health officials are betting the effort will make New Yorkers healthier and help them avoid complex clinical care without driving up overall spending.

It’s well-established that social factors like stable housing and access to nutritious food contribute more to a community’s health than the care people get at the doctor’s office. But Medicaid coverage for nonclinical needs is still limited. The state is in the midst of expanding that coverage on a trial basis with the help of a three-year, $7.5 billion waiver from the Biden administration.