Local health experts say the number of Opioid related deaths in Onondaga County appears to be on the decline. While that sounds promising - there is a delay in the release of data pending toxicology results and other factors.
A key person who reviews those reports said the overall rate of declining cases is better than statewide statistics.
“Over the last year, it’s a really positive sign,” said Mariah Senecal Reilly who serves as the county health department’s director of substance abuse services. “Obviously we don’t want to speak too soon. Between 2023 and 2024, it went from 156 deaths to 90 deaths involving opioids.”
She said it’s always difficult to attribute why there is a steady decline in cases. However, she pointed to a reduced stigma between mental health and substance use when cases surged during the pandemic and people sought help. She also gave credit to local community outreach.
“We do like to think that our work and the work of other agencies who have been flooding the community with Naloxone-Narcan has had an impact,” she said. “I know our own program has given out thousands of doses. And I know programs like ACR [Health], and Prevention Network also give out Naloxone.”
Senecal Reilly said the last quarter showed 20 reported opioid overdoses in the first quarter of 2025 and she anticipated cases to remain on the decline. She also looks forward to when there are zero fatalities.
