The Overdose Prevention Program was established due to a large need in Broome County for overdose-related prevention interventions, community education, harm and stigma reduction, and services. In 2018, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar recognized that the Opioid Epidemic was a public health crisis in our community and dedicated a position at the Health Department to address it. Today, the Overdose Prevention Program has grown to four full-time staff and twelve subcontractor agencies.
The Overdose Prevention Program works to identify barriers and develop solutions through multisector partnerships to reduce overdoses in Broome County. This is accomplished by community education, reducing stigma, amplifying the voices of persons who use drugs, and promoting harm reduction.
To request a Naloxone/Narcan Training or for more information about overdose prevention contact The Broome County Health Department Overdose Prevention Program at overdoseprevention@broomecountyny.gov or call (607) 778-2805 today!
| 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Suspected Fatal Overdoses | 5 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
| Suspected Non-Fatal Overdoses | 16 | 19 | 28 | 18 | 26 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 27 | |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Suspected Fatal Overdoses | 76 | 66 | 32 | 37 | 39 | 54 | 80 | 67 |
| Suspected Non-Fatal Overdoses | 516 | 468 | 359 |
Broome Overdose Action Collaborative (BOAC)
The Broome Overdose Action Collaborative (BOAC) previously known as the Broome Opioid Abuse Council and Broome Opioid Awareness Council; was formed in 2014. BOAC membership includes a multidisciplinary team of professionals, persons with lived experience, and leaders from several agencies and organizations in the community. BOAC includes nearly 100 members from all sectors. In 2024, BOAC was reconstructed, which resulted in a strategic plan, and previous subgroups were restructured. These new subgroups are; Data and Trends, Evaluation, Harm and Stigma Reduction, Linkage and Retention to Care, and Persons who use drugs (PWUD).
Broome Overdose Action Collaborative (BOAC) focuses on identifying barriers and developing solutions to help those with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) in our community including but not limited to prescription drugs and opioid misuse. This coalition will work together with community agencies to ensure we are increasing community collaboration in an effort to decrease barriers for those with SUD. BOAC will focus on community partnerships, education; outreach and prevention; law enforcement response; substance use disorder treatment; and educating medical professionals. BOAC seeks to: target factors existing in our community that place community members and our youth at risk for substance use; reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors; increase community collaboration and awareness; and create a healthier and safer community for all.
The Goals of BOAC are to:
- Promote and increase harm reduction
- Improve policy and practice.
- Ensure systems are in place to reduce fatal and non-fatal overdoses in the community
The next BOAC meeting is Tuesday, January 28th, 10:00AM-11:30 PM at the Broome County Health Department.
Please reach out to OverdosePrevention@broomecountyny.gov if you would like to join virtually and need the link, or if you have additional questions.
Spike Auto Text Program
Community members can sign up for the Spike Auto Text program, which alerts community members, professionals, and loved ones via text when there is an increase in overdoses. Individuals can sign up for the anonymous pilot program by texting SPIKE to 1(855)963-5669 (855-9-OD-KNOW) and following the prompts.
Treatment Providers and Resource Guide for Broome County
Click HERE to learn more about the dangers of prescription opioids.
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You can call the substance use crisis line (UHS/New Horizons) at 607.762.2257 to speak to a local treatment professional 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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The Broome County Sheriff's Office's Assisted Recovery Initiative assists individuals suffering from substance use disorder who are voluntarily seeking treatment. You can call 607.778.1911, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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The Broome County District Attorney's Office has launched Operation S.A.F.E. (Save Addicts from Epidemic). Addicts or their family members are encouraged to call Broome County’s S.A.F.E Line at 607.778.6119. A volunteer will then take their information and immediately begin searching the network of quality treatment facilities accepting new patients.
Medication Drop Box Locations in Broome County
Broome County Health Department 225 Front Street Binghamton. NY 13901
Broome County Office Building 60 Hawley Street Binghamton, NY 13901
