Oneida County Marks Overdose Awareness Day, Highlights Continued Efforts to Combat Addiction & Protect CommunitiesView

Oneida County is recognizing the 25^th year of Overdose Awareness Day today, by highlighting the County's continued efforts to prevent overdoses, support individuals and families affected by substance use and combat the illicit drug market.

Overdose Awareness Day is a time to honor those who have lost their lives to overdose, remember the impact their deaths have had on families and communities, and raise awareness about prevention, treatment and recovery.

Since the establishment of the Oneida County Opioid Task Force in 2016, the County has taken a comprehensive approach to addressing the opioid and substance use crisis. That work has included coordination among County departments, law enforcement, health care providers, community organizations and other partners to expand prevention, treatment, recovery and harm-reduction resources.

The County has seen a significant decline in fatal overdoses in recent years:

• 2021: 86 fatal overdoses
• 2022: 85 fatal overdoses
• 2023: 74 fatal overdoses
• 2024: 62 fatal overdoses
• 2025: 35 fatal overdoses
• 2026: 15 fatal overdoses (year-to-date)

The 35 fatal overdoses recorded in 2025 represent a 59% reduction from the peak of 86 deaths in 2021. While the reduction in fatal overdoses is encouraging, the County continues to recognize the need for sustained efforts to address substance use and its impacts on the community.

"Every number represents a person, a family and a community that has been impacted by addiction, and while the reduction in fatal overdoses is encouraging, our work is far from finished," said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. "For the past decade, Oneida County has built a comprehensive response that recognizes we have to do both things at the same time. We have to help people who are struggling with substance use, while also taking action against those who are putting these dangerous substances into our communities and profiting from them."

The County's efforts have continued to evolve as the illicit drug supply changes. Most recently, Oneida County enacted a local law prohibiting the sale of kratom and issued a public health order addressing the sale of synthetic cannabinoids. These actions are part of the County's broader effort to interrupt the distribution of substances that can harm residents and contribute to public safety and quality-of-life concerns.

"The illicit drug market does more than harm the people who use these substances," Picente said. "It impacts families, strains our public safety resources and deteriorates neighborhoods. We are going to continue providing a path to treatment and recovery for those who need help, but we are also going after businesses that knowingly contribute to these problems by selling substances that put our residents and communities at risk."

Oneida County Social Services, Health and Mental Health departments, along with community agencies and partners, are also actively working in communities recently impacted by substance use and related issues. Staff are providing information, resources and direct connections to treatment, recovery, behavioral health and other support services.

As part of Overdose Awareness Day, the Oneida County Health Department will also be providing free naloxone kits and training in the lobby of the County Office Building on Monday, August 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, is a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Bystander administration of naloxone has saved lives in communities across the country, including here in Oneida County.

Residents are encouraged to stop by the Health Department's table to receive naloxone, learn how to administer it and get information about overdose prevention, treatment and recovery resources. The County Office Building and Oneida County Parking Garage in downtown Utica will also be lit purple to raise awareness.

"We know that having naloxone readily available can mean the difference between life and death," said Oneida County Director of Health Dr. Daniel Gilmore. "On Overdose Awareness Day, we remember those we have lost, but we also want to make sure our residents have the tools and information they need to save a life. At the same time, we will continue working on every front to reduce the presence and impact of dangerous substances in our communities."