Here's How Many People Tragically Died From Drug Overdoses in WNY

Take a look at the overdose deaths in each Western New York County and the drugs that cause the most deadly overdoses in New York State.

The counties considered as Western New York are based on an Empire State Development map. The numbers below are provisional drug overdose death counts for the 12 months ending in March 2021.

Allegany County - Suppressed in accordance with NCHS confidentiality standards

Cattaraugus County - 21 Deaths

Chautauqua County - 54 Deaths

Niagara County - 82 Deaths

Erie County - 310 Deaths

Data provided by the Centers for Disease Control

Across New York State these are the overdose deaths attributed to each drug (Provisional, for the 12-months ending June 2021):

Methadone - 152 Deaths

Methadone is a medication used to treat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Methadone is a long-acting full opioid agonist, and a schedule II controlled medication. ~ Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration

Heroin - 10,688 Deaths

Community Activist Offers Drug Addicts Safe Haven In Mobile Consumption Room — Getty Images

Natural & Semi-Synthetic Opioids - 13,405 Deaths

Semi-synthetic opioid analgesics, including drugs such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and oxymorphone; Methadone, a synthetic opioid that can be prescribed for pain reduction or for use in MAT for opioid use disorder (OUD). ~ Centers for Disease Control

New England Towns Struggle With Opioid And Heroin Epidemic — Getty Images

Cocaine - 20,249 Deaths

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key Opens The First Drug Screening Lab At Auckland Airport — Getty Images

Psychostimulants with Abuse Potential - 28,251 Deaths

A “psychostimulant” can be defined as a psychotropic substance with the capacity to stimulate the central nervous system. It causes excitation and elevated mood, as well as increased alertness and arousal. Its global effect is to speed up signals into the brain. ~ National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine

Police Break Crystal Meth Manufacturing Ring — Getty Images

Synthetic Opioids (Excluding Methadone) - 62,611 Deaths

Synthetic opioids are substances that are synthesized in a laboratory and that act on the same targets in the brain as natural opioids (e.g., morphine and codeine) to produce analgesic (pain relief) effects. Some synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and methadone, have been approved for medical use. ~ Drug Enforcement Agency