MEDIA RELEASE

 From the Office of the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale R. Burstein

 Date May 13, 2016

CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov

Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925

2015 Sees Double the Opioid Overdoses

Fatalities Increase by 102% over 2014 Figures

ERIE COUNTY, NY—As feared, the final total for fatal opioid-related overdoses in Erie County more than doubled from 2014 to 2015. Last year, a record number 256 deaths were related to opioid-related overdoses.  That same figure was 127 in 2014—hence, the number of deaths from 2014 to 2015 increased by over 102%. The typical overdose victim was a white male approximately 38 years old.

“This is a staggering total, especially when you consider the number of people in our community affected in addition to the deceased individual—family, friends and colleagues,” said Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County Commissioner of Health. “We are urgently working with other organizations and agencies under the auspices of the Erie County Opioid Epidemic Task Force to attack this crisis from all angles.”

“Attacking the opioid epidemic in Erie County is one of my administration’s primary objectives,” stated Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “We are working with all levels of government, local, state and federal, to coordinate our resources to effectively attack this crisis throughout our families, workplaces and communities.”

For additional information on efforts to combat the epidemic, visit the ECDOH Opioids-Important Information website: http://1.usa.gov/1ZNnfKG

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For More Information:

Erie County Department of Health