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Chautauqua County has seen an increase in drug overdose cases and fatalities.
Much of the increase is believed to be due to the presence of fentanyl -- a tasteless and odorless opioid that has been found in many street drugs this year. Chautauqua County officials are working to alert the community of the dangerous increase and also to remind the public of the resources available for those who need help.
Carmelo Hernandez, director of Community Mental Hygiene Services for the county, said the increase in recent overdoses is not just because of fentanyl, but the current quality of life for many as well.
"I take an entire person approach," Hernandez said. "Inflation is continuing to increase, and coming out of the pandemic there have been big life changes. The cost of living has gone up, and people's overall quality of life has changed. People who are suffering and dealing with these challenges and basic necessities are finding coping strategies that are not necessarily healthy."
Hernandez cited last week's drug seizure in which a Florida woman was stopped in Jamestown. Police later found more than 9 pounds of fentanyl pills in her vehicle.
"We are seeing fentanyl more in the streets," Hernandez said. "We are on the defensive, especially with its potency."
There is no specific area in the county that the department is looking at as a hotspot for these cases, Hernandez said. The cases and fatalities are coming from all across the county.
His main concern is for those who decide to use drugs for the first time.
"My biggest concern is not necessarily for those who have been users for life, but for those who decide to use just one time," he said.
"Fentanyl is extremely potent and it can kill."
As far as fatalities go, overall it tends to vary. It can be first-time users, or it can be those who were using before and relapsed, which Hernandez said is part of the recovery process.
According to the state Health Department's most recent data, nine opioid deaths were reported in the first quarter of 2022 in Chautauqua County. As for narcan use, which is a potentially lifesaving medication designed to help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in minutes, statistics indicate Emergency Medical Service crews are dispersing the drug more than others. From January to June, EMS noted 54 uses; law enforcement, 17; while community providers totaled 32.
"Twenty or 30 years ago, the drugs that they were taking did not have fentanyl," Hernandez said. "It is very powerful."
More than anything, Hernandez said to help stop the increase in overdose cases and fatalities, people need to reach out for help.
"There are many resources in the county," Hernandez said. "Reach out if you or a loved one needs help. … There are places you can go to be educated about this. We are doing our part and trying to get out into the community. Narcan is available in clinics and with the Mental Health Association. Reach out. You are not alone. Be mindful of who and where you are buying from, and make sure it's someone you know."
Hernandez encouraged people to contact the county Department of Mental Hygiene if they or a loved one needs help.
"We are here for them," he said. "It's what we are here for. It's why we exist. Feel free to reach out. We are here to encourage people. This is something we can face together. You are not alone. This is a judgment free zone. We are here to help."
The Department of Mental Hygiene Services can be reached at 716-753-4104. They offer Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in Jamestown at 200 E. Third St., fifth floor, Jamestown; and in Dunkirk at 60-62 Franklin Ave. The Jamestown clinic is open from Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can be reached at 716-661-8330. The Dunkirk clinic is open from Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can be reached at 716-363-3550.
Chautauqua County also has a Suicide Prevention and Crisis Hotline: 1-800-724-0461.
For more information on the Department of Mental Hygiene visit chqgov.com/mental-hygiene.