Sadly, it’s a story that affects people of all ages, classes and races. Addiction doesn’t care how educated you are, how much money you have, or whether you are a respected member of the community.

It’s an indiscriminate disease.

Likewise, an overdose doesn’t care if it’s the first time or the 1,000th time you’ve used the drug. The danger is always there and the risk has likely never been higher.

The St. Lawrence County Public Health Department recently reported an increase in drug-related overdoses. Between April 16 and April 27 alone there were six overdoses, and there have been more since then.

I sometimes recognize acquaintances, schoolmates and surnames of people far too young in the obituaries section. I’m sure you do too.

A retired police officer recently told me about how a local law enforcement agency successfully addressed the one-pot meth labs that plagued the area.

[img_assist|nid=339576|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=275]Unfortunately, he said the meth labs have been replaced with a steady supply of crystal meth.

What’s worse is meth is on the lower end of concern locally as Fentanyl and Xylazine continue to claim lives here on a near-weekly basis.

In another conversation with a law enforcement officer, I was told that people buying street drugs like cocaine, heroin or meth were reportedly overdosing from Fentanyl. In other words, they weren’t getting what they thought they were.

Fentanyl is commonly being added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous. Drugs may contain deadly levels of fentanyl and you wouldn’t be able to see it, taste it, or smell it.

It is nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been laced with it until it’s too late.

Changes in how the state provides help for mental health and substance abuse have proven ineffective. Moves toward outpatient services, though well-intended, have not been adequately supported to ensure people don’t fall back into old habits.

The safety net continues to shrink at a time when the dangers continue to grow.

Recently we’ve seen a number of mental health clinics opening up in the North Country, but the treatment provided, at least I’m told, tends to be more of a band-aid than a long-term solution to the county’s problem.

I’m not knocking the providers, mind you. I’m just saying we need additional support.

So what can we do? Part of the solution is talking about it and accepting that there is a problem, rather than ignoring it. With a continued climb in overdoses, it’s only a matter of time before it strikes someone you care for, know or are acquainted with.

Health officials are also recommending people consider learning to administer and carry Narcan. Narcan is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdose.

For a list of places that provide services for substance abuse check this out https://stlawco.org/Departments/CommunityServices . You can also call 315-386-2048 for information on how to obtain Narcan.

For those who are with others during an overdose, health officials are asking you to call for help. They point out that New York’s Good Samaritan Law allows people to call 911 without fear of getting arrested if they are witnessing an overdose.

Taking action, rather than fleeing in fear, could save a life.

Jimmy Lawton is news editor of North Country This Week and NorthCountryNow.com.