7 overdose deaths in one day in Buffalo, New York

Erie County Executive Warns Against Potent Fentanyl After 7 Overdose Deaths in 1 Day.

There was no time to mince words this week as Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz attempted to issue a dire warning about a deadly drug in Western New York.

“IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: I have been informed by the medical examiner’s office of the (seven) overdose deaths this morning and early afternoon only,” he said in a social media post Monday. “There appears to be a VERY limited form of fentanyl on the streets right now.”

On Tuesday, he said two sets of victims died in each of two locations — a man and a woman in one case, two men in another — with three people in total dying in Buffalo, three in Tonawanda and one in Lackawanna.

The deaths are believed to have been caused by narcotics containing fentanyl, including crack cocaine (four people), powder cocaine (two people), and one death from a combination of heroin and crack cocaine.

“One more person using Narcan might not be enough to save a person’s life, because these deaths can be instantaneous,” he added, referring to a nasal spray that can be administered to help save lives. of a person in the event of an overdose of an opioid or other strong drug. .

The Erie County Department of Health confirmed the deaths.

“We urge all residents to exercise extreme caution. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, significantly more potent than heroin or morphine. Even a small amount can be fatal. The current batch appears to be particularly dangerous,” ECDOH said.

Last month, Erie County announced the creation of a revamped overdose prevention task force to combat the use of deadly drugs. Poloncarz said the team’s new name “signals their commitment to action and a renewed focus on preventing overdoses and saving lives.” I am proud to see how this task force continues to adapt and grow in response to the opioid epidemic.

Overdose and opioid-related deaths have increased every year for the past five years, with 435 deaths in 2023 and 366 opioid-related overdoses in the same year. As of late April, 151 opioid-related overdose deaths had already been reported and 165 overdose deaths had been reported this year.

In a surprising trend, overdoses among our older neighbors, ages 60 and older, nearly doubled from 2018 to 2021 (from 13% of the total to 24% of the total), with a year-over-year increase. another 21%. in 2023 alone, the county says.

The largest increase in overdose deaths has been in the Black community, doubling from 2018 (13% of the total) to 25% of the total in 2021, trending upward each year, reaching 32% of the total. all deaths associated with overdoses in 2023.

The zip codes with the deadliest overdoses last month are the East Side (14211), the Upper East Side (14215); Grant Ferry (14213); Broadway (14212) and Black Rock (14207). The county also reports that 71% of overdose deaths last year were associated with cocaine, compared to 48% in 2020.

Poloncarz reminded people that the Erie County Department of Health offers free fentanyl and xylazine test strips in addition to Narcan training for those who want to be prepared to respond in an emergency.