The Broome County District Attorney’s office says this past February was the first in five years that did not record any fatal drug overdoses.

2017 overdose deaths were down to 56 from 66 the year before.

While enforcement efforts are getting some of the credit for the drop in fatal overdoses, officials also point to better availability of counseling services and the wide-spread training in the use of the overdose reversal drug: “Narcan.”

Broome County is currently working with New York State to open detox facilities at the former Broome Developmental Center in the Town of Dickinson.  That effort is being paired with some increased support from the state for local long-term treatment, rehabilitation and support services.

 

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