The surge in COVID-19 cases is worsening another major crisis nationwide – the opioid epidemic. 

“This has exacerbated previous risk factors like unemployment, social isolation, as well as disrupting available treatment and harm reduction support services,” said Mariah Senecal-Reilly, the Onondaga County Substance Use and Mental Health Initiatives program coordinator.

Onondaga County data shows that there were 121 opioid-related deaths through September 2020, compared to 87 that same time in 2019. Health experts say they’re waiting for the remaining records, and expect 2020 to be the deadliest year in the past decade.

“We are suspecting that it will surpass last year most definitely and likely our previous peak in 2016,” said Senecal-Reilly.  

Just miles away, Oneida County has seen many overdoses, too.

“We’ve seen 63 overdose fatalities,” said Lisa Worden, the Oneida County Health Department program analyst. “That number is still preliminary, but that number is consistent with what we saw in 2019.”

The county's Overdose Response Team recently issued a spike alert after witnessing 18 overdoses and four fatalities in a five-day period – some involving cocaine or meth. They say there are two trends they’re keeping an eye on.

“The first trend is the rise in the number of overdoses occurring from people using things like cocaine and methamphetamine, which we don’t usually see high numbers of people overdosing on,” said Jared Henderson, the Oneida County Opioid Task Force co-coordinator. “Substances like fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are being mixed into these non-opioid substances.”

Henderson also says opioids have become more potent, and they’ve seen an uptick in fentanyl-related overdoses.

“I think the part that is most concerning is that fentanyl is in almost everything right now and that is significantly stronger than heroin on its own, other opioids on its own,” said Senecal-Reilly. “It’s impossible to tell without testing the substance that it’s in there.”

Leaders in both counties are trying to fix these problems through outreach and treatment services.

“Some of those initiatives include strengthening our peer-outreach efforts, making sure we’re following up with people who overdose,” said Henderson. “We’re also working with our local hospital systems and health-care providers to expand access to medication assistant treatment.”

“Most importantly is connecting with people, showing support,” said Senecal-Reilly. “It’s a hard time for everyone right now, especially if you’re struggling with a substance-use disorder.”

Senecal-Reilly encourages community members to participate in Narcan training to help save lives. If you’re interested, you can contact NaloxoneTraining@Ongov.net or call 315-435-3280.