Officials warn of tainted cocaine after two fatal overdoses in a 24-hour period

The Oneida County Overdose Response Team has issued a warning to the community regarding two cocaine-related fatalities that occurred in the City of Utica on Sept. 4 in less than a 24-hour period.

The circumstances surrounding these two deaths lead officials to believe that cocaine laced with fentanyl may be involved in the fatalities. Official results will not be confirmed until toxicology reports are completed, which can take a couple of months.

“Two deaths in such a short period of time is alarming and warrants a warning to the public as we see these types of incidents increasing locally and nationally. It is clear that the street-drug market is changing, and drug dealers are using cheaper products like fentanyl to increase their supplies. If you or someone you love uses cocaine, you now must assume the product being used is contaminated with fentanyl”, said Oneida County Director of Health, Daniel Gilmore.

On Tuesday morning (Sept 7), there was another cocaine-related non-fatal overdose that appears to have been tainted with an opioid like fentanyl as well, said Lisa Worden, Opioid Task Force Coordinator.

Reports of cocaine and fentanyl-related deaths are rising across the country. In Oneida County, six of the drug-related toxicology reports completed so far detected a combination of both cocaine and fentanyl.

The Overdose Response Team is encouraging community partners, treatment providers, support groups, first responders, and families and friends of people who use drugs to inform people who use cocaine and other nonopioid street drugs of this dangerous trend and to direct them to providers who can teach them how to reduce risk of fatal overdose.

Most local treatment providers can provide individuals with Narcan kits and fentanyl test strips along with other harm reduction education and resources.

The drug environment has changed, officials say, and people who use drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamines, and other nonopioid drugs must start taking the same overdose precautions that are given to people who use opioids like heroin.

The public can call 2-1-1 or ACR Health at (315) 7930661 for connection to local providers for harm reduction resources.