Broome Drug Overdoses Down for 3rd Quarter

The Broome County District Attorney’s office reports, in spite of the stresses of the pandemic, social unrest and a contentious election year, the number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses are down so far in 2020.

The numbers for the third quarter show 28 overdose deaths this year compared to 33 for the same period last year, a low of 22 in 2018 and a high of 60 in 2016.

The reduction in the number of deaths may not be entirely attributed to the increased availability of naloxone, otherwise known as Narcan.  Use of the overdose reversal drug was also down eight percent from last year.

D.A. Michael Korchak says he’s encouraged to see both fatal and non-fatal overdoses in the county have decreased in spite of the continued uncertainty of COVID-19.

A list of drug treatment services is available at www.gobroomecounty.com/boac/help-is-available