Horizon Health Sees New Trends Amid Opioid Epidemic

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Local police are concerned about a deadly batch of drugs circulating in the Buffalo area. At least eight people have died in the past week, with the latest victim in Grand Island.

In this overdose case, the deceased was a 58-year-old man. Local health officials said they are seeing more middle-aged and older people overdose, not just younger people. This overdose death occurred Friday evening on East River Road.

This comes after seven people died from suspected drug overdoses in less than five hours in Buffalo, Tonawanda and Lackawanna a week ago. Police and health officials are very concerned about a deadly batch of crack and cocaine consumed locally.

Experts at Horizon Health Services said they are seeing more overdoses from cocaine and fentanyl pills and an increase in the number of people making appointments to get help.

“We’ve seen a number of people calling and we can work with the patient’s goals at that time. So we get calls from people who just want medication to help them manage their withdrawal and their cravings for “I just want some advice.’” said Katie Burbee, director of clinical program development for Horizon Health Services.

Horizon Health offers walk-in appointments and can help people with medication services, but, with summer here, Horizon Health said they are seeing an increase in people not showing up for appointments. They also said health care coverage remains a barrier for many families.

“People are participating more in outdoor activities, music festivals and concerts and really want to make sure they know what they’re using and have test strips so they can test for substances that they use. » said Burbee.

Last year, there were a record 435 overdose deaths in Erie County. Some local officials believe Erie County will exceed that number this year.

“The potency continues to increase, the risk continues to increase with what’s put into different substances, so it’s just a matter of continuing the conversation and reducing the stigma to make sure people know what’s out there,” he said. Burbee said.

In Albany and Syracuse, the New York State Department of Health issued an alert after a synthetic sedative was found in medications in Central New York and the Capital Region.

Erie County offers free test strips for Narcan, fentanyl and xylazine. Local leaders are pleading with users to test their supply and make sure they have Narcan. If you or a loved one needs help, resources are available.