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Opioid Overdose Spike Urges Health Officials to Push Preventative Measures Overdose Spike Urges Health Officials to Push Preventative Measures

By Madeline Mustion

Opioid Emergency kit, Narcan kit with instructions, and fentanyl testing strips.
© 2022 Maddie Mustion

Danyell Monk: Opioid overdoses are striking Onondaga County in shocking numbers. N-C-C News reporter Maddie Mustion joins us live to tell us why the county health department is on high alert.

Maddie Mustion: That’s right Danyell. Fentanyl laced opioids played a part in 14 overdoses over 24 hours this week. The health department was informed of the high number of overdoses on Monday.
Program Coordinator of the Substance Use Initiatives at the County Health Department, Mariah Senecal-Reilly, says this catastrophic spike might not be the whole picture.

Mariah Senecal-Reilly: It’s a general observation of what’s going on in the community because there are a number of overdoses that are not called into 9-1-1.

Maddie Mustion: Fatalities from these fentanyl laced drug overdoses have risen in the last year. The health department is working to prevent fatalities through Naloxone training. Senecal-Reilly says every resident should have Naloxone with them.

Mariah Senecal-Reilly: “You’d rather have it and not need it than be in a situation where you wished that you had it.”

Maddie Mustion: Free fentanyl test strips and Narcan training are available through the health department. Live in the studio, I’m Maddie Mustion, N-C-C News.

Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — In the time span of a day, 14 residents of Onondaga County overdosed on opioids. The Onondaga Health Department was alerted on Monday and sent out a county wide press release to warn residents. The overdoses were caused by fentanyl laced counterfeit pills and other opioids that are circulating locally.

The health department uses ODMAP to give them data from 911 calls regarding overdoses in the area. While the tracking system doesn’t give them demographics or vivid details, it is beneficial to see a general view of what is going on in the area.

Mariah Senecal-Reilly, Program Coordinator of Mental Health and Substance Use Initiatives at the County Health Department, says that although the system is beneficial to seeing these concerning spikes, it doesn’t show them the

Mariah Senecal-Reilly of the Onondaga County Health Department demonstrating how to administer Narcan.
Mariah Senecal-Reilly of the Onondaga County Health Department demonstrating how to administer Narcan.
© 2022 Maddie Mustion

entire picture.

“It’s a general observation of what’s going on in the community because there are a number of overdoses that are not called into 9-1-1,” Senecal-Reilly says.

Knowing that not all overdoses are reported, the health department sees this spike on Monday as even more concerning.

They are urging residents to carry doses of Naloxone around with them to prevent fatal overdoses. Naloxone is a nasal spray used on those suffering from a drug overdose. It is able to block the opioids from brain receptors and help restore breathing.

This is beneficial, but only temporary and should be used in addition to calling 911.

oxone training and Opioid Emergency Kits that contain gloves, a face shield, two doses of Narcan, and instructions for how to administer Narcan.
The Onondaga County Health Department provides Naloxone training and kits that have gloves, a face shield, two doses of Narcan, and instructions for how to administer Narcan.
© 2022 Maddie Mustion

“It will last 30 to 90 minutes. So depending on the strength or amount that somebody has used, this might wear off prior to the substance leaving their system,” says Senecal-Reilly.

The health department provides training on how to use Naloxone. Mariah Senecal-Reilly says look for these signs of an overdose:

  • Unresponsiveness
  • Slow, shallow breathing
  • Strange cast to the skin
  • Blue or purple nail beds or lips
  • Making snoring sounds in the throat

The Onondaga County Health Department is also providing free fentanyl testing strips to prevent further overdoses and fatalities in our community. Those can be requested by calling or texting their confidential line at 315-418-5365.

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