1 death amid 5 drug overdoses in 24 hours, health officials say

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWNY) - There were five drug overdoses in Jefferson County within 24 hours, one of them a fatality.

Public Health officials said in a release Monday morning that all of them were "within the last 24 hours."

Four of the overdoses were in the city of Watertown.

Officials suspect narcotics to be the primary drug, but say the overdoses could have been caused by other drugs or drug combinations.

Health officials say that makes six confirmed overdose deaths this year, but 11 more recent deaths could also have been caused by overdoses: three in October, seven in November and one in December.

The causes of death in those 11 cases are pending the results of lab tests.

Officials with Public Health, the Department of Community Services, and the Alliance for Better Communities provided this list of community resources for people dealing with substance abuse problems.

- Anchor Recovery Center of NNY: 315-836-3460

- Credo Community Center for Treatment of Addictions: 315-788-1530

- ACR Health: 315-785-8222

- Samaritan Addiction Services: 315-779-5060

- Samaritan Medical Center - social worker on call: 315-785-4516

- Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

- Northern Regional Center for Independent Living: 315-785-8703 business hours; and (315) 785-8708 nights and weekends.

- Mobile Crisis Jefferson County: 315-782-2327

- Hope Line: 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text 46736

To receive Naloxone training and free kits, contact Credo, ACR Health, or the Anchor Recovery Center of NNY.

Officials say they also want to remind people of New York State’s 911 Good Samaritan Law, which allows people to call 911 without fear of arrest due to drug possession if they are having a drug or alcohol overdose that requires emergency medical care or if they witness someone overdosing.