BINGHAMTON, NY (WSKG) — Drug overdoses have increased in Broome County this week, with seven reported overdoses in one day.
Marissa Knapp, an opioid overdose prevention coordinator with the Broome Opioid Awareness Council, said it’s important that people who use drugs take extra precaution and stay safe.
“We really just want to make sure that our community members, both people who are using drugs recreationally or the community of drug users, that they're practicing harm reduction measures,” Knapp said.
That can mean having Narcan, which can reverse overdoses, readily available. Knapp said people should avoid using drugs alone. If they are alone, they can call the Never Use Alone hotline, and someone will stay on the phone with them and call 911 in case of an overdose.
Knapp added that the pandemic has disrupted recovery services and isolated people. She said those factors, combined with theincrease of fentanyl in the drug supply, have contributed to an increase in overdoses.
“In 2010 only 14% of overdose deaths involved fentanyl, and in 2017, almost 60% of opioid-related deaths involve fentanyl,” Knapp said.
Knapp emphasized that fentanyl can show up in cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as opioids. She said people who use drugs should make sure totest them for fentanyl, using strips available at locations throughout the county.
Find free Narcan trainings at these Broome County locations:
- The Addiction Center of Broome County: 30 State Street, Binghamton, NY, 13901. (607)
723- 7308. - Helio Health: 249 Glenwood Road, Binghamton, NY, 13905. (607) 296-3072.
- Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP): 277 Main Street, Johnson City, NY, 13790. (607)
237-0497 - Truth Pharm: 49 Pine Street, Suite 6, Binghamton, NY, 13901. (607) 296-3016.
- United Health Services (UHS): (607) 762-2200. For UHS Addiction Medicine, call (607)
762-2901.