ERIE COUNTY, N.Y. — Seven people in Erie County died Monday of an overdose within a span of six hours.
That's according to the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH).
Health officials say the Erie County Medical Examiner's Office received reports of seven overdose-related deaths over a six hour period on Monday.
Investigators are still waiting for more complete toxicology results to confirm what drugs were taken, but they say preliminary reports say at each scene there was a suspected form of cocaine.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz posted on social media Monday evening, "There appears to be a VERY deadly form of fentanyl on the streets right now."
Three of the deaths happened in the City of Buffalo, three in the Town of Tonawanda and one in the City of Lackawanna. Their ages range from 40-60 years old. Six were male and one was female.
“The opioid-related death numbers our community is experiencing this year are staggering, and we need people who use drugs to hear this message loud and clear – we want you to stay alive,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein in a press release. “Our peers, public health educators, treatment agencies, medical community, law enforcement, families – we are all on the same page, shouting the message that the cocaine you take today can kill you today. There are measures you can take to reduce your risk of dying when using cocaine and other stimulants, and opioids, and we are here with support for people who will take that step and work with us.”
From January 1 through June 13, there have been 85 confirmed opioid-related deaths in Erie County, 20 confirmed non-opioid deaths and 106 suspected opioid related-deaths so far this year.
The ECDOH issues these tips to help avoid harm from drug use:
- Carry Narcan, and know how and when to use it. Text (716) 225-5473 to have Narcan and fentanyl test strips mailed to you for free. Narcan is always available in the lobby of the Rath Building in Buffalo. MATTERS Network also has Narcan vending machines in Western New York.
- Never use alone. Have Narcan and a friend with you who is not using drugs, or contact a service like Never Use Alone (neverusealone.com)
- Test your drugs for fentanyl even if you think it is cocaine or another substance that is not an opioid. Free test strips available from the Erie County Department of Health. Call (716) 858-7695.
- Seek support. ECDOH has peer navigators and a family coordinator; call (716) 858-7695. The Buffalo & Erie County Addictions Hotline is available 24/7 with referrals for individuals and their families. Call (716) 831-7007.
- Seek treatment. Local hospital emergency departments can connect patients to immediate medication addiction treatment. Ask for MATTERS Network, a service that rapidly refers people with opioid use disorder or people who use opioids to treatment, peer support and medication. Patients can be seen at outpatient treatment agencies within 24 hours; call 800-622-4357 or visit any local emergency department. Virtual emergency department medication addiction treatment services are also available.
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