Broome County Sees Drop In Suspected Opioid Overdoses

Progress is being made in Broome County as it continues to combat the opioid epidemic.

Today, January 20, 2026, the Broome County Health Department’s Overdose Prevention Program released its 2025 overdose data.

Suspected Fatal Overdoses Decrease In Broome County

The numbers show that suspected fatal overdoses in Broome County decreased by 43% from 2024 to 2025. In 2024, there were 49 suspected fatal overdoses. That number in 2025 decreased to 28. In addition, in 2025, non-fatal overdoses also decreased 29% compared to 2024.

I truly believe the reduction in overdoses can largely be attributed to all of the humans doing the work. We have agencies, people, leaders and resources available in Broome County to promote harm reduction, education, prevention, and treatment along with a multifaceted approach to help meet people where they are at. While this number makes me feel proud, we still have work to do because one life lost, is one too many.  Narcan distribution across Broome County increased by 438% in 2025, supported by nine local agencies that train, educate, and distribute the life-saving medication throughout the region. - Marissa Knapp, Director of the Overdose Prevention Program at the Broome County Health Department and Chair of the Broome Overdose Action Collaborative

 

Requests For Proposals For Opioid Prevention Program Announced

According to the release, the Broome County Health Department’s Overdose Prevention Program announced the next round of Requests for Proposals for the Opioid Settlement Funding opened today, January 20, 2026. Applications will be due no later than March 16, 2026.

Funds will be available for community-based organizations, non-profit agencies, municipalities, and privately owned businesses.

That funding will be used for, but not limited to, treatment, recovery, harm reduction, prevention, and education efforts. Broome County was one of the counties severely affected by the opioid epidemic and has received funding for interventions.

The Broome County Health Department’s Overdose Prevention Program notes that successful applicants will be awarded a contract from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2028, contingent upon successful program performance. Access grant applications here.

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These results show that when we invest in people, programs, and partnerships, we can save lives. This progress didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of years of work by our Broome County Health Department, law enforcement, service providers, and community partners who never gave up. While we’re encouraged by these numbers and the impact of our work, we know our responsibility it to keep building on this momentum and saving more lives. - Broome County Executive Jason Garnar

To view overdose data and annual statistics through the Broome Overdose Action Collaborative, visit the Broome County website.