Sarah Trafton is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media for the second time in less than a week, residents are learning of a spike in drug overdoses locally, this time in Greene County, according to Greener Pathways Program Director Carl Quinn. An overdose spike alert was issued for Columbia County April 6, followed by a similar alert for Greene County the following day. Greene County reported six overdoses, three of which occurred in one day. Six non-fatal overdoses were reported in Columbia County since April 1, with four happening over the weekend, Quinn said. And Rensselaer County Public Health Director Mary Fran Wachunas also said there have been eight overdoses there in the last two weeks. “We normally have two to three overdoses a month in each of our counties,” Quinn said. The incidents were linked to heroin. “Some required multiple doses of Narcan,” Quinn said. “It’s probably a tainted batch strongly laced with fentanyl.” In Columbia County, the overdoses occurred in the Chatham, Ghent and Philmont areas, but the Greene County cases were more widespread. Quinn said the ODs are linked to the COVID-19 public health crisis. “We’re hearing the drug supply is limited, which would be a good thing,” he said. “Drug dealers are not able to be in transit. The supply has been interrupted. People may not be using their same reputable person they had been using in the past.” The loss of traditional, face-to-face group support meetings is a significant factor, as well. Greener Pathways has been engaged in outreach in northern Columbia County this week, as well as in Catskill. Quinn is hoping to set up locations in Cairo and on the mountaintop, as well. The state’s mental-health hotline is 1-844-863-9314. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.