Deadly Fentanyl: State of Emergency Lifted In Broome County – FOX 40 WICZ TV

 Broome County Executive Jason Garnar Thursday lifted the State of Emergency declared March 27, 2019, due to a significant spike in fentanyl-related overdose deaths.

 During the months of January and February, Broome County reported three fatal overdoes each month.

During the month of March, Broome County reported 12 deaths, including six in a 10-day period, prompting officials to declare the State of Emergency.

Since then, the number of deaths has dropped back in line with pre-emergency levels.

 As part of the State of Emergency, County Executive Jason Garnar, District Attorney Steve Cornwell, Office of Emergency Services Director Michael Ponticiello, and Public Health Director Rebecca Kaufman created a Drug Overdose Response Team to monitor and respond to the “spike” in overdoses (fatal and non-fatal).

In the event of a spike in overdoses, the team will convene an emergency meeting to evaluate the situation and implement a plan to reduce the harm to the public.

The team members will meet and coordinate with colleagues in government, law enforcement, the medical community, and public/private organizations to help assess the situation and develop the appropriate response.

 The team will consider and implement all possible response strategies to combat a spike in overdoses including, but not limited to: Education and Training; Harm Reduction; Intervention; Law Enforcement; and Public Information/Messaging.