Public safety emergency declared as overdoses soar over the weekend
Over the past week, first responders in Dutchess County received reports of at least 16 suspected overdoses, including two near-fatal overdoses, and one fatality.
According to the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, over 72 hours, areas across the county saw an increase in overdoses, from Fishkill to Red Hook, with the most concentrated reports located in Poughkeepsie and Hyde Park.
“The loss of life and the number of overdoses we have seen in such a short period of time is deeply concerning,” said District Attorney Anthony Parisi. “We are treating this surge as a public safety emergency.”
The county’s Drug Task Force said they will be utilizing “intelligence-led policing strategies” and working alongside other agencies to identify the distribution networks leading to these overdoses.
Anyone witnessing a suspected overdose should call 911 immediately and administer Narcan, if available. Under New York State law, a person who, in good faith, seeks help for someone overdosing, will not be charged or prosecuted for certain controlled substance offenses based solely on the evidence obtained as a result of seeking that emergency medical assistance, the DA added.
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