There have been 21 overdoses reported in Oneida County over the past 15 days – four of them fatal. Police suspect the deaths were caused by heroin overdoses.
When this many overdoses happen in a short stretch of time, the Oneida County Overdose Response Team receives a spike alert notification from their Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP).
“The Oneida County Overdose Response Team is utilizing ODMAP to not only detect potential threats in our community, but to mobilize a more coordinated and informed community response across all sectors to better prevent overdoses and overdose deaths. We are calling on the community and all response partners to join us in implementing response actions to help decrease this overdose spike in our community” said Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente.
The county executive’s offices say 16 of the heroin overdoses occurring in the past two weeks required multiple doses of naloxone (Narcan), including three of the four fatalities. The need for multiple Narcan administrations can be an indication that fentanyl is present.
Narcan is available at various local pharmacies throughout the county, and the public can dial 211 to receive assistance in finding Narcan trainings near them, along with information regarding medication drop off boxes and treatment and recovery services.
There is also a new text line for those struggling with opioid addiction, who can text “opioid” to 898-211 for help.
