County Warns Of Overdose Spike After 17 Suspected Cases In 72 Hours

DUTCHESS COUNTY, NY — Tainted drugs are suspected in dozens of overdose deaths in recent days.

Dutchess County residents are being warned after a sharp rise in suspected drug overdoses over 72 hours, including two fatal overdoses and two near-fatal overdoses, according to a public safety advisory from the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office. The advisory said law enforcement and emergency responders have documented at least 17 suspected overdoses since the start of the surge.

One of the fatal overdoses occurred Friday morning in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

District Attorney Anthony Parisi said the county is treating the situation as a public safety emergency.

The advisory said the DA's Drug Task Force is actively investigating the source of the narcotics believed to be responsible. Investigators are using intelligence-led policing strategies and working with the Analysis and Real Time Crime Intelligence Center, or ARTCIC, to identify distribution networks, analyze overdose trends, and develop investigative leads.

"The loss of life and the number of overdoses we have seen in such a short period of time is deeply concerning," Parisi said. "We are treating this surge as a public safety emergency. The Dutchess County Drug Task Force is aggressively pursuing those responsible for distributing these dangerous narcotics and is leveraging every available investigative resource, including ARTCIC and advanced intelligence analysis, to identify the source and prevent additional tragedies. We urge anyone struggling with substance use disorder to seek help immediately and encourage residents to carry and know how to administer Narcan. One bad dose of narcotics can have devastating consequences throughout an entire community."

The DA's Office urged users to exercise extreme caution, saying fentanyl and other dangerous synthetic substances continue to make illicit narcotics increasingly unpredictable and potentially deadly. The advisory said even a single use of illegal drugs can result in an overdose. Anyone witnessing a suspected overdose should immediately call 911 and administer Narcan if it is available.

"Saving a life must always be the priority," Parisi said. "Under New York law, a person who, in good faith, seeks health care for themselves or another person experiencing a drug or alcohol overdose will not be charged or prosecuted for certain controlled substance offenses based solely on the evidence obtained as a result of seeking that emergency medical assistance. If you believe someone is overdosing, do not hesitate—call 911 immediately. That call could save a life."

The DA's Office said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available. Anyone with information about these cases or about people selling drugs in Dutchess County is urged to contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040, send an email to this address, or submit a tip through the District Attorney’s Office website.