From the start of the pandemic, overdose rates have climbed to new heights across New York, and Broome County has been no exception. Since the beginning of 2022, 55 people have overdosed in Binghamton, four of which have been fatal.
Looking back a few years, in 2016, drugs claimed 76 lives in Broome, the majority being traced to heroin or opioids. That was one of the deadliest years on record, as numbers dropped to 66 in 2017 before cutting in half to 32 in 2018.
The following year saw a slight rise in fatalities at 37, which increased to 39 in 2020. Data for 2021 has not yet been compiled, though following a year of hardship due to the effects of the coronavirus and increasing financial stressors, officials are looking into new harm reduction methods to help them mitigate the problem.
The county is now investing in a new testing device that could help save lives: a small test strip.
“You would take the strip out of the package, and you would dip it in your substance,” said Amanda Lewis, Addiction Center of Broome County clinician.
It’s a new tool to test for fentanyl in drugs like heroin and methamphetamine, which has been leading to more and more overdoses locally.
“Our overdose spike is not even a spike anymore, it’s just a trajectory upward. Fentanyl is the main driver of that,” said Nick Knibbs, Addiction Center of Broome County family nurse practitioner.
“If you know someone who may be using, if you have a family member, a friend, co-worker, a neighbor, the product on the street right now is very deadly, and it could kill them,” said Jared Kraham, (R) Binghamton mayor.
As Lewis and Knibbs hopped into a car, they were preparing to go door to door in areas where addiction is prevalent. It’s a way for the Addiction Center of Broome County to reach those struggling with addiction much quicker.
“I liken it to the possibility of having house calls again," said Knibbs. "That old family doctor that goes to patients' houses. It’s kind of like that. It really does show people that you care and you’re there for them, and are ready to support them in whatever way possible."
“When people are in the midst of their addiction, sometimes they don’t know what services are available to them," said Lewis. "So we’re able to go out to them and be like, 'hey, we’re here to help. This is what we have to provide you, what can we help with.'"
Lewis and Knibbs both have connections to addiction. Knibbs lost his father to alcohol, and Lewis has been in recovery for the past five years.
“My level of compassion is different from some, just because I’ve been there and done that, so I can connect with these individuals on a more personal level,” said Lewis.
The city of Binghamton is now doing its part to help prevent overdoses, with a combination of law enforcement efforts and treatment publicity.
“Our special investigations unit are taking narcotics off the street," said Kraham. "They’re putting drug dealers behind bars, but there’s also the side of things where we have to help those who are dealing with substance use disorder. Get them the services they need, make the public aware that there’s a spike in overdoses."