County Sheriff’s Office: Services Available for Overdose Victims and Their Families

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office’s Second Chance overdose program recently conducted its 500th post-overdose follow-up. The Sheriff’s Office became an Opioid Overdose Prevention Program certified by the New York State Department of Health in 2018.

Substance use disorder is a scientifically documented medical condition listed in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders. It is not limited to opioid use.

The program, which began in 2017, aims to ensure victims of overdoses and their families/significant others are aware of and able to use services that are available to them. Follow-up is attempted by the Sheriff’s Office with every victim as soon as possible after the event, in an effort to connect them with assistance.

Currently, there are members on every shift who carry extra naloxone (Narcan) kits to train and dispense to civilians on-the-spot. 

Since the inception of the program, the Sheriff’s Office has dispensed 1,032 naloxone kits to both civilians and law enforcement.

To date, the Sheriff’s Office has responded to 88 overdose calls, 12 of which were fatal. Naloxone was used in 58 of these events.

If you or someone you know suffers from substance use disorder, contact department partners at Healing Springs Recovery and Outreach Center in Saratoga Springs at 518-306-3048 for non-emergency assistance. The Sheriff’s Office communications division may be contacted to arrange for Narcan training at 518-885-6761.