Local addiction care center sees increase in people seeking treatment

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A new report from the NYS Department of Health finds overdose deaths increased by 14 percent from 2020. 

Here in Albany County, there were 82 overdose deaths from pain relievers and illegally produced opioids like fentanyl. 

CEO of the Addictions Care Center of Albany Keith Stack said more people are seeking treatment for opioid addiction, but fentanyl presents an increasing danger. 

“The real villain in this situation is fentanyl and what’s kind of scary is how available it is and the volume everywhere and it’s ending up in every different type of substance," Stack said.

The report also found an increase in emergency department visits due to opioid overdoses, especially concerning fentanyl. More first responders also used naloxone, a drug that combats opioid overdoses as they happen. 

Stack said the increased use and access of naloxone is key to addressing the epidemic. 

“It is a real defense against overdose and it does save lives," Stack said. "One of the concerns though is that sometimes it’s not as effective with a fentanyl experience so you have to use multiple doses of it.”

The State Department of Health said, in their report, they plan on advancing syringe exchange programs which give people struggling with opioid addiction access to safety plans, naloxone and other drugs that can treat opioid abuse. 

Stack said the solutions to the epidemic need to include widespread education and community collaboration on the dangers of fentanyl and opioid abuse.

“We have to, everyone as a community, law enforcement, educators, treatment providers, government officials, we just have to really keep pushing the message out.”