The Erie County Department of Health has issued a stark warning following a surge in deadly overdoses linked to fentanyl-laced cocaine and methamphetamine in Western New York.
According to officials, from January through July 2023, 245 Erie County residents lost their lives to confirmed or suspected overdoses.
Shockingly, toxicology reports revealed that 81% of these cases involved a lethal combination of cocaine and fentanyl—double the number seen in 2021. Find the source spectrumlocalnews
Moreover, overdoses among individuals aged 60 and older have more than doubled since 2018, highlighting a concerning trend.
Cheryll Moore, executive director of the county’s Opiate Epidemic Task Force, emphasized the deceptive tactics employed by drug dealers, who are increasingly mixing fentanyl into substances traditionally perceived as safe.
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Moore warned that this practice aims to hook users and create long-term dependencies.
Health departments in Erie and Chautauqua counties have reported instances of both cocaine and methamphetamine contaminated with the potent opioid, underscoring the widespread nature of the issue.
Moore stressed the importance of harm reduction strategies, urging individuals who choose to use these substances to do so in the presence of others, carry naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal drug), employ fentanyl test strips, and proceed cautiously.
As the community grapples with this crisis, authorities are urging heightened awareness and proactive measures to prevent further tragedies associated with fentanyl-laced drugs.