Two additional deaths are being attributed to possible opioid overdoses in Chautauqua County.

Local health officials believe at least six people have now died in the last two weeks after taking drugs suspected of being tainted with fentanyl.

“While we are not seeing overdose deaths occurring as frequently when compared to the previous weekend, the coroner’s office acknowledges at least two suspected fatal drug overdoses this past weekend,” said Dr. Michael Faulk, the county’s chief medical officer and interim public health director.

At least four fatal drug overdoses were reported the week of Sept. 24, prompting a public health alert indicating that a “deadly supply of street drugs” was in the community.

All four of the fatalities occurred in the Jamestown area.

“All street drugs should be presumed to have a dangerous mixture of substances, which may result in a fatal overdose,” Faulk said in a statement provided to The Post-Journal. “It is likely all street drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamine, also have unknown amounts of fentanyl and/or xylazine, which may be creating a deadly mixture. Although we are unable to confirm at this time, this may explain the most recent increase in suspected fatal drug overdoses.”

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that the Drug Enforcement Administration says is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.

‘A PREVENTABLE DEATH’

Amid the most recent spike in suspect drug overdoses, The Post-Journal reached out to UPMC. Hospital staff — in addition to police officers and EMS workers — are among those on the front lines of the drug epidemic.

Dr. Mandy Fauble, director of clinical care services at UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor in Erie, noted that hospital staff often live in the communities they serve, and thus are impacted by opioids.

“This is particularly compounded during traumatic and preventable situations, and overdose is a preventable death,” Fauble said.

“We want to ensure the public is aware that many substances are adulterated with fentanyl and other substances,” she continued. “Many of us refer to a ‘poisoned drug supply’ as individuals may be seeking cocaine or methamphetamine, or what they think is a prescription drug, but they are purchasing drugs with fentanyl in it. This is one of the most dangerous scenarios, as the person may not realize how much they are using, it is totally unexpected, or they may have very low opioid tolerance, making the overdose death more likely.

“It is important that people are aware that death can occur anywhere from the first time a person uses a drug with fentanyl to a person who has a significant substance use disorder and uses drugs routinely. It is deadly.”

UPMC Chautauqua offers life-saving naloxone, which is an opioid overdose reversal medication. It is free and anyone can obtain it, Fauble said.

“It is important that anyone using any type of drugs, or who is in the company of anyone using any type of drugs, has naloxone on hand,” she said. “That way, if a person obtains drugs they did not realized contained opioids and an overdose occurs, the naloxone will enable breathing.”

UPMC Chautauqua also has fentanyl test strips available “so that individuals can be safer in understanding their risks and can take steps to protect themselves and others.” To obtain naloxone or fentanyl test strips, individuals can call 716-664-8641.

Jamestown’s hospital offers a full continuum of substance use disorder services.

To learn more about chemical dependency services in the county, visit combataddictionchq.com