Broome Issues 2nd Overdose Alert in a Week

For the second time in less than a week, the number of suspected drug overdoses in Broome County has exceeded the threshold of three in 24 hours to prompt an alert to be issued.

The Broome Opioid Awareness Council is again putting out the word about harm reduction practices and the availability of Narcan overdose reversal kits and training.

Monday, January 31, BOAC put out an identical advisory but medical crews continue to be called daily to reports of drug overdoses in the county.

Marissa Knapp of the Broome County Health Department has pointed to the dangerous drug: Fentanyl showing up in substances being used by residents where it isn't normally found.  The deadly additive is even being found in cocaine where it had been more of a  regular an issue for methamphetamine and heroin users in the past.

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Those with substance use disorder are urged to never use alone and use fentanyl test strips.

Anyone on the scene of an overdose should call 9-1-1 and know they are protected from repercussions by the Good Samaritan Act.

Narcan trainings are offered through the Addiction Center of Broome County, Helio Health, Southern Tier AIDS Program, Truth Pharm and United Health Services.

Users can call the Never Use Alone hotline to talk to someone, judgement-free, at 1-800-997-2280.