Updated: 10/9/19 - 9:33AM
ITHACA, NY (WSKG) - Over the last three months, a report from District Attorney Steve Cornwell finds there were nine overdose deaths in Broome County.
That's the same number as in the third quarter of 2018, and fewer than the summers of 2017 and 2016, when there were 13 and 24 overdose deaths, respectively.*
Overall, Cornwell sees the reduction as a success. So do other officials.
"We are moving Broome County in the right direction," Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said in a statement. "We will continue to work hard to get people into treatment and get these dangerous drugs off our streets in order to keep our residents safe.”**
In March, a state of emergency was declared in the county after 12 reported overdose deaths, including six within a 10-day period.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, was found to be the cause of that spike in deaths.
* This story has been updated to include a correction from the D.A.'s office. The correct number of reported overdose deaths in 2016 is 24, not 13.
**This story has been updated to include comments from Broome County Executive Jason Garnar.