Jefferson County officials issue overdose activity alert

 

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (June 8, 2020) – Jefferson County Public Health Service officials announced the county has experienced 13 overdoses from drug use in June, including two fatalities in the city of Watertown over the weekend.

Officials said that of the 13 overdoses, nine have occurred since June 4. Eleven individuals survived. Narcotics are the suspected primary drug; however, other drugs or a combination of drugs could be causing the overdoses. Six overdoses occurred in the city of Watertown; seven overdoses occurred outside the city.

According to data submitted by first responders using the ODMAP software system, overdose activity has steadily risen since March when there were 22 suspected overdoses reported, followed by 27 suspected overdoses reported in April, and 32 suspected overdoses reported in May. Year-to-date total suspected overdoses are 128.

There have been 12 confirmed overdose deaths for 2020 in Jefferson County, including three in January, one in February, five in March, two in April, and one in May. Ten (83%) of these confirmed deaths are due to opioids, nine of these attributed specifically to fentanyl. An additional four overdose fatalities are pending toxicology report confirmation.

 

Community resources

The Jefferson County Public Health Service, Jefferson County Department of Community Services, and the Alliance for Better Communities want to remind people that a number of community resources have been established and expanded to help people who have substance use disorders, and for people to access these resources to receive assistance and treatment:

  • Anchor Recovery Center of NNY: (315) 836-3460

  • Credo Community Center for Treatment of Addictions: (315) 788-1530

  • ACR Health: (315) 785-8222

  • Samaritan Addiction Services: (315) 779-5060

  • Samaritan Medical Center - social worker on call: (315) 785-4516

  • Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

  • Northern Regional Center for Independent Living: (315) 785-8703 business hours; and (315) 785-8708 nights and weekends.

  • Mobile Crisis Jefferson County: (315) 782-2327 of (315) 777-9681 Hope Line: 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text 46736

To receive Naloxone training and free kits, contact Credo, ACR Health, or the Anchor Recovery Center of NNY.

 

The public also is reminded of New York State’s 911 Good Samaritan Law, which allows people to call 911 without fear of arrest due to drug possession if they are having a drug or alcohol overdose that requires emergency medical care or if they witness someone overdosing.

 

(Jefferson County Public Health Service)