The Onondaga County Health Department is reporting several significant spikes in overdose activity over the past two months.

The county gathered the information through its OD MAP system, which uses 911 calls, among other indicators, to track overdose activity.

They say they recorded 14 or more overdoses in 24 hours as recently as the first week of August. They blame the spike on increased amounts of fentanyl in the drug supply.

“In 2020 and 2021, we did see the highest numbers of overdose fatalities that Onondaga County has seen,” said Mariah Senecal-Reilly, mental health and substance use initiatives program coordinator for Onondaga County.

She said despite the waning influence of pandemic restrictions, the department expects overdose numbers to remain higher than pre-pandemic levels this year.

“I do think we are on track to see similar numbers to 2021. I believe we’ll see the ripple effect of the pandemic for some time,” she said.

She said the rising numbers in 2022 can be blamed, in part, on a trend of individuals purchasing what they believe to be legitimate pharmaceuticals online.

“They are nearly identical to what you would get if you got a script from a pharmacy, and what they’re actually receiving is a mixture of substances, often containing fentanyl,” she said.

This, along with the presence of the life-threatening, synthetic opioid in drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine has the health department pushing for the distribution of fentanyl testing strips and Narcan kits.

“Narcan is an overdose-reversal drug. It’s super easy to use. It’s in a nasal spray form,” she said.

She said the idea is to get the kits in the hands of as many businesses, agencies and individuals within the community as possible, so that in the event of an overdose, anyone can step in, administer the drug and call 911, potentially saving a life.

“If you encounter someone who you think might be having an overdose, you should administer this drug to them," she said. "We encourage everybody to carry one of these. We would rather you have one of these and not need it, rather than be in a situation where you could have saved someone’s life.”

As part of an order issued Thursday, state Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said pharmacies in New York, beginning Aug. 15, will be required to carry and dispense naloxone without a prescription in order to counteract overdoses.

Additionally, Senecal-Reilly said the county department is installing what they call “nalox-boxes” containing kits they will be installing in highly populated areas, including libraries, within Onondaga County.

Those who would like to install one at their agency or business can contact the health department.