A new poll suggests that opioid abuse in New York is only getting worse.

A recent Siena College poll shows 54 percent of New Yorkers say they have been personally touched by opioid abuse, and one in four people say they know someone who died of an opioid overdose.

A total of 83 percent say opioid abuse has gotten worse in the past few years in New York state.

Drug counselors say the statistics are scary and they are real, but they say the more awareness and information that gets out about drug addiction, the better.

“The numbers reflect exactly what we're seeing on Long Island,” says Jeff Reynolds, the president of Family and Children's Association.

Reynolds says when people don't understand addiction, it fosters silence and secrecy that keeps people away from treatment. 

For those who know someone struggling with opioid abuse, they can call the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence at 631-979-1700. There are licensed clinicians there to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.