Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media an overdose spike alert was issued for Greene County on February 6, after two non-fatal overdoses occurred within a five-hour period. The two overdoses were reported in the village of Catskill, Greener Pathways Program Director Carl Quinn said. “It heightens the concern a little bit because they were close together in time and they were both within the village,” he said. “Rather than being spread out in different areas to have them close together is a concern.” Overdoses that occur close together can indicate a contaminated drug supply. So far this year, Greene County has recorded 11 overdoses, one being fatal, Quinn said. In 2021, the county had a total of 129 overdoses and 17 fatalities. An online post from Greener Pathways about the spike alert said overdoses have occurred in the past with people using crack, cocaine and other substances beside opiates, including pressed pills made to look like a genuine pill, but that contain fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used for treating severe pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Greener Pathways recommends that if you use, use safely and assume that your supply is contaminated. A spike alert was issued last week for Berkshire County, Massachusetts when four overdoses occurred in one day, Quinn said. Berkshire is the closest nearby county to recently see an increase. “Be careful, don’t trust your supply,” Quinn said. “And reach out for help if you are at a point where you’re ready for help. There are resources available to help.” Anyone in Columbia or Greene counties that need Narcan or fentanyl test strips are asked to text NARCANKIT to 21000 or TESTSTRIPS to 77948. A Greener Pathways Peer advocate will respond. You may remain anonymous if you wish. Help is available by calling Greener Pathways at 518-291-4500 or texting 518-822-7437. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.