The Oneida County Overdose Response Team has issued a “Spike Alert” throughout Oneida due to a jump in overdoses.
According to a report from localsyr.com, there have been a total of 25 reported overdoses throughout the Oneida County areas that have resulted in four deaths in the past two weeks. The response team believes that heroine laced with fentanyl is the cause of these overdoses. Fentanyl is the one of the strongest opioids available and comes with a greater risk of overdose fatalities. In an interview, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr told reporters, “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.” If you know someone struggling with opioid addiction, there is a number you can text for help. To receive help, You can text the word “OPIOID” to 898-211. In a life threatening situation, stay with the victim and call 911 immediately.