Social distancing connected to increase in overdoses in local counties

HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Columbia County Department of Health said it has seen a dramatic uptick in the number of overdoses, which they said are likely connected to the coronavirus pandemic.

The county is in its second opioid overdose spike since the beginning of the NYS on PAUSE social distancing order. Columbia County has seen 19 overdoses since March 1.

The county health department encourages anyone to reach out to those who are struggling with addiction.

Rensselaer County is also dealing with a similar problem. Since March 16, they’ve seen 13 overdose deaths.  

Since Rensselaer County can no longer host naloxone community events, they developed a program called Naloxone Now.  

“We have a program called Naloxone Now. If you text NARCAN to 21000, our peer specialist…from our Rennselaer County Mental Health unit will deliver the naloxone,“ said Mary Fran Wachunas, Rensselaer County Public Health Director. 

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