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More overdoses but no deaths in Hudson last year

Jan 31, 2020 12:56 am
Amanda Purcell reports for Columbia-Greene Media that the Hudson Police Department says there weren't any overdose deaths in the city in 2019. Last year police responded to more overdoses, though with fewer deaths. There were 22 overdoses, and Hudson police officers used the overdose reversal drug naloxone nine times last year. There were only 27 overdose calls in the previous two years, an average of 13.5 per year, with six deaths. So, in the small sample, the problem is getting worse, but deaths were avoided. “It’s a combination of factors, including the availability of Narcan for the patrols, the availability of Narcan for the citizens and the pressure on open drug dealing, which has displaced some of the supply end to outside of the city,” Police Chief Edward Moore said. Hudson police officers first started being trained with naloxone in January 2017. Moore said he believes the 20-bed detox center approved this week by the Greenport Planning Board for the corner of Merle Avenue and Route 66 may also help. “Clearly it’s something to help addicts, and from what I understand it won’t cost taxpayers money,” Moore said. “They [the detox center’s staff] are going to be able to bring them [addicts] to rehab facilities and treat them there [at the detox center] and it is something that is a long time coming ... If a facility like that comes to our area and if that provides a choice for an addict, I think 100 percent it has got to help. Some addicts will be more inclined to get help than to go somewhere to buy heroin. So I think it is going to be a good thing.” Moore announced the statistics at the Hudson Police Committee meeting Jan. 27. WGXC has a recording of the meeting in the Audio Archives. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.
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