In a rare move, the Broome County Health Department has put out an after-hours news release warning of a spike in overdose deaths in the county.

An alert was sent to the media shortly after 4 p.m. March 6 announcing "reports of increased overdoses during the past 24 hours."

Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News (file)
Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News (file)
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The Broome Opioid Awareness Council (BOAC) has issued previous messages encouraging people with a substance to not use drugs alone.  BOAC also advises Narcan kits should be available and reminds others present that the "Good Samaritan" law protects them from repercussions when calling 911 and rendering assistance.

Narcan training is available through several agencies in Broome County.

Narcan can be used to reverse an overdose of heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone and Vicodin.

For more information on Narcan training and where to get Narcan kits, call 211, contact The Addiction Center of Broome County (ACBC), Helio Health, Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP),Truth Pharm and United Health Services (UHS) via phone, email, text or reaching out on Facebook.

Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous can also supply counseling and support.

For more information and where to find phone numbers visit : http://www.gobroomecounty.com/boac

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