Erie County sees significant spike in opioid-related overdose deaths
The Erie County Medical Examiner s Office confirmed 232 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2020, compared to 156 in 2019. Author: Leanne Stuck Updated: 11:16 PM EST February 24, 2021
BUFFALO, N.Y. Erie County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein announced Wednesday that the county saw a sharp increase in overdose-related deaths in 2020.
During a virtual news conference, Dr. Burstein and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz shared data from the Erie County Medical Examiner s Office and the Opiate Epidemic Task Force, showing that the county saw a 49 percent increase in opioid-related overdose deaths in 2020.
The Erie County Medical Examiner s Office confirmed 232 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2020, with 17 cases still pending toxicology reports. In 2019, 156 opioid-related deaths were recorded in the county.
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Overdose deaths in Buffalo and Erie County have been on the rise during the pandemic. According to WKBW, the 14207 zip code in Buffalo, the 14150 zip code, which includes areas of the Town of Tonawanda and the 14075 zip code in Hamburg are the hardest hit. The Erie County Medical Examiner s Office shows 38 overdose deaths pending for 2020. There has been a 50% increase in overdose deaths due to fentanyl and cocaine. Cheryl Moore, Medical Care Administrator, of Erie County Department of Public Health, who is also the Director of Opioid Task Force for Erie County, told WKBW,