The Oneida County Overdose Response Team has issued its second spike alert this week, after five non-fatal overdoses occurred in the City of Utica over the last 24 hours.
The overdoses took place between August 16 and the morning of August 17, 2023, and involved heroin and synthetic marijuana. It is unknown at this time if fentanyl was present in any of these incidents. Naloxone was administered in four of these five overdoses.
Another spike alert was issued earlier this week on August 14th, when nine overdoses occurred in the cities of Utica and Rome between August 11 and August 13, 2023. One of the overdoses that took place on August 13 in Utica was fatal.
That group of overdoses involved heroin and methamphetamine and other yet-to-be identified drugs. Fentanyl is suspected to have been a factor in those incidents.
The Overdose Response Team conducts a rapid assessment to identify factors that may be contributing to overdose spikes. Individuals using all drugs should take the same harm reduction precautions as those using opioids such as carrying naloxone, fentanyl test strips and never using alone.
People who use drugs and their loved ones can access treatment and recovery services by calling 211. Free Narcan-by-Mail is available through the Oneida County Health Department by visiting https://www.ocopioidtaskforce.org. Free, anonymous 24/7 access to naloxone, fentanyl test strips and other wellness supplies are also available at the new Public Health Kiosk located at the Giotto Center at 1002 Oswego Street in Utica. The Never Use Alone Hotline can be reached at 1-800-484-3731.
For up-to-date overdose reporting from the Oneida County Opioid Task Force, please visit: https://www.ocopioidtaskforce.org/data/.