Opioid Drugs Kill Multiple People On Same Day In Western New York

The heat that's been hitting Buffalo and the 716 hard isn't the only thing impacting the community in Western New York lately.

Medical officials around Erie County have been extremely busy as multiple people have died from drug overdoses this week in three Western New York municipalities.

In an information release from the Erie County Department of Health, it's reported that seven different people died over 6 hours on Monday, June 17, 2024.

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... 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.
-Dr. Gale Burstein, Commissioner of Erie Co. Dept of Health

So far, we know that of the seven people who died, three people were found dead in Buffalo, one in the City of Lackawanna, and another three in the Town of Tonawanda. Six of the victims were male and one female, ranging in age from their early 40s to their early 60s.

As of June 13, 2024, more than 200 people have died in Erie County from overdose, with more than 80 of those confirmed to be due to opioids.

How To Use Naloxone In An Emergency

Naloxone is the brand name for nasal sprays like Narcan and was designed to reverse the effects of opioid overdose rapidly and is used in an emergency. It can potentially revive someone during an overdose event caused by the misuse of prescription pain medications or street drugs like heroin. These medications are generally available as an over-the-counter treatment. According to the New York State Department of Health, these are the steps to use Naloxone or other opioid nasal sprays.

Gallery Credit: Ed Nice