Editor’s Note: The Ithaca Voice is attempting to reach family members of people who have overdosed in Tompkins County recently. If you or someone you know has overdosed, please contact Reporter Jolene Almendarez at jalmendarez@ithacavoice.com or 210-550-0087.
ITHACA, N.Y. — At least two more people have overdosed in Tompkins County within the past two days, police have confirmed.
On Thursday, a possible overdose happened on the West Side of Ithaca, Ithaca Police Officer Jamie Williamson said. He said an officer administered Narcan — a life-saving drug used to treat overdoses — and gave the person CPR. The person survived.
Friday afternoon, the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report that a person overdosed, but other details about that incident are not yet available, Lt. Dan Donahue said.
Donahue said it can be difficult to confirm whether an incident is an overdose until toxicology reports and an investigation are completed.
The overdoses come just days after the Ithaca Police Department reported that they’d responded to eight possible overdoses — including a fatal incident — within two weeks, where people are suspected to have been using heroin.
Police said earlier this week, “The IPD is exploring the possibility that these overdoses are related; however it is too early to draw any conclusions.”
Williamson said Friday that it is still unclear whether the overdoses are related.
Featured photo: Police respond to a reported overdose in Tompkins County Friday afternoon. Photo by Jolene Almendarez/The Ithaca Voice
The Southern Tier AIDS Program is a resource center that, among other services, provides help to people seeking assistance combatting substance abuse. The organization is located at 314 W. State St. and can be contacted at 607-272-4098.