By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
Cattaraugus County’s opioid mortality rate has continued to drop in 2025. The six deaths so far this year were all attributed to fentanyl. Last year there were nine fentanyl overdoses recorded.
In a presentation to the Cattaraugus County Board of Health Wednesday, Nov. 5, Public Health Director Dr. Kevin D. Watkins credited the use of Narcan, an opioid antidote, with saving 48 lives in the first 10 months of this year.
Opioid overdose deaths peaked in 2023 with 28 people, up one from the previous year. There were 12 opioid deaths in 2020 and 13 in 2021, before jumping to 27 in 2022.
Cattaraugus County emergency medical technicians and other first responders were able to save the lives of 48 people who had overdosed with Narcan. One person died who had received Narcan three times. One death occurred in March, April, July and September and two were recorded in September.
All six opioid deaths this year have been in the city of Olean, with four at private residences and two in the Olean General Hospital emergency room. Five were males ages 29-58 and one was a 60 year-old female, Watkins said.
Other harm-reduction measures include distribution of fentanyl test strips, and increased medication assisted treatment options including Buprenorphine, Suboxone, methadone and Naltrexone.
While Watkins praised the community groups involved in helping reduce the number of local opioid deaths, he said, “Hopefully, we’ll get it down to zero.”
Watkins also warned of recent increase in aerosol inhalant abuse — particularly dustbusters sprays for electronic devices.
The gas propellant displaces oxygen and depresses the central nervous system, Watkins said. The occurrence is greater in urban areas and is also known as sudden sniffing death syndrome.
