Naxolone, overdose emergency kits added to Public Safety Building

Overdose deaths on rise in 2023 in Orleans County for first time since 2018

Press Release, Orleans County government

ALBION – The Orleans County Probation Department and the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are working together to battle opioid overdoses.

GO Health will install overdose emergency kits, also called NaloxBoxes, in the Probation Department and Public Safety Building. These kits include naloxone and other opioid overdose response tools.

“At Probation, we have dealt with many people that are battling substance use disorder so this is an effort to be prepared in case of an emergency,” said Sarah A. Osborne, Probation Director.  “So many families across our community have been impacted by substance use disorder that any steps we can take to be better prepared are worth doing.”

According to GO Health, in Orleans County, opioid-related deaths peaked in 2018 with 11 fatal opioid overdoses (27.0 per 100,000 population). Since 2019, there have been 26 fatal overdoses in Orleans County, with some deaths still pending review and investigations. The majority of opioid-related deaths were male, white individuals and people in their 20s and 30s.

“Unfortunately, 2023 will likely be the first year with an increasing number of opioid-related deaths since 2018,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health.  “The fact is we have seen a decline in use of heroin and commonly prescribed opioids, but the rise of fentanyl in concurrence with stimulant drug use, especially cocaine, is now our biggest area of concern.”

GO Health is encouraging businesses and other organizations to follow the lead of the Probation Department and consider installing overdose emergency kits.

For those interested, you can complete an application (click here). If you have questions or would like additional information, you can call the Health Department at 585-589-3278.