STATEN ISLAND — Suspected heroin overdoses killed nine people in 10 days in Staten Island, officials said.
The deaths came despite two takedowns of drug dealers this month, including one which the borough's District Attorney Michael McMahon called one of the largest heroin rings in the area.
One of the deaths happened in the bathroom of the Staten Island Mall, a law enforcement source said. Heroin was found at all but one of the scenes.
"The loss of lives in the last two weeks has been staggering and heartbreaking," McMahon said in a statement.
"But, this spike in deaths reminds us of the seriousness of this plague and renews what must be a vigilant commitment to defeating this crisis."
There have been 70 suspected overdoses in the borough so far this year and more than 33 people saved by the anti-overdose medication naloxone administered by NYPD officers, McMahon said.
So far this year, McMahon said there have been more than four dozen dealers arrested.
Last week, six accused heroin dealers who sold around South Beach were arrested, officials said.
Despite the takedowns and the launch of the Overdose Response Initiative to investigate every fatal OD to try and find the source of the drugs, McMahon said the recent deaths show more needs to be done.
"I implore every level of government and every Staten Islander to mobilize in this fight — we need better access and availability to treatment and recovery programs and we need everyone to educate themselves and their loved ones about the dangerousness and toxicity of these drugs," McMahon said.
"Make no mistake about it and spread the word: Heroin kills."
