The Columbia County Department of Health July 5 issued a New Spike Alert after an abrupt increase in the number of overdoses occurred during a 24-hour period over the weekend. The department is advising that anyone in active addiction take the following precautions: Use safely or seek help for the addiction; have access to Narcan; and, let a friend or loved one where you are at all times. Those in need of Narcan or fentanyl test strips are asked to text N-A-R-C-A-N-K-I-T to 21000 and a Greener Pathways peer advocate will respond. In the event of an overdose, call 911 immediately. Reporters are protected by the Good Samaritan Law. Help is available by calling Greener Pathways at 518-822-7437 or Columbia County Pathways To Recovery at 877-467-3365.