ERIE COUNTY, NY - County leaders met Tuesday to review the latest in opioid data.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein reviewed county data on opioid-related deaths, while also commenting on their efforts to address the epidemic.
According to the Erie County medical Examiner's office, there were 233 opioid overdose fatalities in Erie County during 2017 (with 35 additional cases still pending).
"Our efforts to fight the opioid epidemic in Erie County are bearing fruit and we are heading in the right direction. While this is very good news, this epidemic is still rising in other parts of New York and around the country, so it is important to keep working locally to educate, inform, empower and partner with our residents and all stakeholders in this public health issue, " said Poloncarz in a released statement.
"The national numbers, combined with what we are seeing locally, are further evidence of the destructive nature of opioids [...] We are making progress but more work remains to be done," said Dr. Burstein.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent report has shown increases in opioid overdoses statewide, despite recent decreases in Erie County.
Additionally, 78% of opioid-related fatalities in Erie County during 2017 involved fentanyl, while 28% involved heroin.
More information can be found on the Erie County Department of Health's website.