As fatal overdoses spike, officials warn drug users to be careful

NEW HAVEN — A pronounced spike in fatal drug overdoses has claimed 12 lives since Jan. 25, according to city officials.

Officials suggested in a statement issued Tuesday that figure represents a threefold increase from the number of deaths that would normally be expected to occur in New Haven in that time. Noting the city typically averages two fatal overdoses per week, they called the recent overdose death rate “significantly higher than usual.”

Of the 12 overdoses, officials said, three have occurred in New Haven’s Newhallville neighborhood and four have occurred in the Hill neighborhood. Contamination may be a factor.

“Preliminary reports indicate that this cluster of cases is unique with the involvement of crack cocaine, crack pipes, and burned materials indicative of crack/cocaine use, but with a suspected mixture of opioids such as fentanyl,” officials said.

Both New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker and Maritza Bond, director of the New Haven Health Department, advised at-risk residents to be extremely careful at this time.

New Havenites who use drugs can take advantage of free services offered by the city to increase their safety, such as substance and paraphernalia testing available at the Yale-Community Health Care Van on Congress Avenue. Those seeking treatment can call 1-800-563-4086 or visit connectgnh.org for more information.

“The New Haven Health Department is working with city and community partners to enhance outreach and improve access to harm reduction supplies,” Bond said in the statement. “Community members should reach out to your loved ones who use substances to get them connected to harm reduction supplies and treatment information.”

Data on the overdoses was provided by the federal Overdose Data Surveillance System.