Heroin Epidemic a Growing Concern in Saratoga Springs

According to saratogian.com, local officials are seeing a surge in heroin and opioid use throughout Saratoga County.

Six heroin-related overdoses have already been recorded this year by city police in Saratoga Springs, which is the total amount recorded for the entire year in 2015 according to Lt. Robert Jillson. According to chairman and medical director Tim Brooks of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Saratoga Hospital, heroin is become more and more easily accessible. "Another concern, both regionally and nationally, is that heroin is being cut with laboratory made fentanyl, an extremely potent opiate. It's easy to overdose on. People think they're getting straight heroin but they're getting a mix of heroin and fentanyl, and so they basically stop breathing." he stated.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders having been taking steps by putting a plan in place to help combat heroin and opiate addiction statewide. Cuomo said, "New York and the nation as a whole is grappling with how to combat heroin and opioid addiction, and with this comprehensive plan, we are continuing to take decisive action to end this epidemic and protect our families and communities." For more on this story, check out the article from saratogian.com here.