Between 2014 and 2022, the average annual crude rate of overdose among upstate NY counties was 18.1/100,000. The average rate in Columbia County for the same time period was just below the upstate average (17.9/100,000).
In 2022, the upstate NY crude rate of overdose was 22.9 and the rate in Columbia County was 23.4. In 2022, among 57 upstate NY counties, Columbia ranked 22nd for overdose deaths involving opioids.
Between 2014 and 2022, the average annual crude rate of overdose among upstate NY counties was 18.1/100,000. The average rate in Greene County for the same time period was about 1.4 times higher than the upstate average (25.0/100,000).
In 2022, the upstate NY crude rate of overdose was 22.9 and the rate in Greene County was 21.1. In 2022, among 57 upstate NY counties, Greene ranked 27th for overdose deaths involving opioids.
43 Columbia County residents died of overdose between 2019 and 2022. The volume of overdose deaths among Columbia County residents decreased by 7% between 2021 and 2023.
*Compared to coroner data below, Vital Statistics data include deaths among Columbia County residents that occurred in any county. Source: NYS County Opioid Quarterly Report.
52 Greene County residents died of overdose between 2019 and 2022. The volume of overdose deaths among Greene County residents decreased by 52% between 2021 and 2023.
*Compared coroner data below, Vital Statistics data include deaths among Greene County residents that occurred in any county. Source: NYS County Opioid Quarterly Report
Combining data from ODMAP with data from the County Coroner, yields an approximate fatality rate. The true fatality rate could only be smaller, as the number of fatalities is fixed (the numerator) and the number of total overdoses could only be larger (the denominator). Annual fatality rates are rising over time. The average fatality rate in 2019 was 16%, in 2020 it was 16%. In 2021 the average fatality rate was 17% and in 2022 it is 17%.
Combining data from ODMAP with data from the County Coroner, yields an approximate fatality rate. The true fatality rate could only be smaller, as the number of fatalities is fixed (the numerator) and the number of total overdoses could only be larger (the denominator). Annual fatality rates for Greene County should be interpreted with caution due to varying levels of first responder participation with the ODMAP data system. Based on available data, the average fatality rate in 2019 was 25%; in 2020 it was 8%. In 2021 the average fatality rate was 18% and in 2022 it is 13%.
Not all overdose events are captured by ODMAP. Record entry may vary by county based on independent protocols for entering records. Overdoses may also occur with no first responder intervention and therefore would not be entered into ODMAP at all. Based on available information*, overdose volume has increased by 58% in Columbia County between 2019 and 2023.
*Available information includes overdose events for which a first responder was on scene and entered overdose information into ODMAP.
Not all overdose events are captured by ODMAP. Record entry may vary by county based on independent protocols for entering records. Overdoses may also occur with no first responder intervention and therefore would not be entered into ODMAP at all. Based on available information*, overdose volume has increased by 64% in Greene County between 2019 and 2023.
*Available information includes overdose events for which a first responder was on scene and entered overdose information into ODMAP.
Overdose death rates are still rising because the drug supply is more poisoned than ever before. Deaths involving heroin in Columbia County have largely disappeared because heroin has become much scarcer. Fentanyl is the substance most often implicated in overdose deaths, often in combination with other substances. In 2022, 71% of overdose deaths in Columbia County involved fentanyl. There was also a large volume of deaths involving stimulants; either cocaine or methamphetamine/amphetamine (57%).
Anyone who may be at risk of witnessing or experiencing an overdose can obtain naloxone free of charge by texting NARCANKIT to 21000.
Overdose death rates are still rising because the drug supply is more poisoned than ever before. In 2022, there were no deaths in Greene County that involved heroin. Fentanyl is the substance most often implicated in overdose deaths, alone or in combination with other substances. In 2022, 91% of overdose deaths involved fentanyl. Fewer deaths involved stimulants than in Columbia County (27% in Greene compared to 57% in Columbia).
Anyone who may be at risk of witnessing or experiencing an overdose can obtain naloxone free of charge by texting NARCANKIT to 21000.
In 2022, 14% of overdose deaths in Columbia County occurred among people under 30s. Half of the deaths (50%) occurred in people age 40-49 years old and and additional 21% of deaths occurred among people in their 30s.
In 2022, most overdose deaths in Greene County occurred in people in their 40s (54%) or in their 20s (18%). An additional 9% of deaths occurred in people in their 30s.
More males than females died of overdose in Columbia County last year. 64% of overdose deaths were among males.
More males than females died of overdose in Greene County last year. 82% of overdose deaths were among males.
The majority of overdose deaths in Columbia County last year were among White/Caucasian people (86%), followed by Black/African American people (14%).
The majority of overdose deaths in Greene County last year were among White/Caucasian people (90.9%). The remaining 9.1% of deaths were among Black/African American people.
There were 45 deaths to overdose in Columbia County between 2019 and 2022. Of those, 8% occurred in Region 1, 2% occurred in Region 2, 37% occurred in Region 3, 17% occurred in Region 4, 2% occurred in Region 5 and 13% occurred in Region 6.
There were 55 deaths to overdose in Greene County between 2019 and 2022. Of those, 47% occurred in Region 1, 14% were in Region 2, 18% were in Region 4, 13% were in Region 5 and 7% were in Region 6. There were 0 deaths in Region 3.
Between 2019 and 2023 there have been 376 overdose events entered into ODMAP in Columbia County. Of those, 17% are in Region 1, 14% are in Region 2, 41% are in Region 3, 11% are in Region 4, 3% are in Region 5 and 14% are in Region 6. One OD was out of county.
Between 2019 and 2023, there have been 488 overdose events entered into ODMAP in Greene County. Of those, 54% are in Region 1, 17% are in Region 2, 5% are in Region 3, 15% are in Region 4, 6% are in Region 5 and 2% are in Region 6.
Columbia County uses ODMAP data to monitor overdoses daily. When the volume of daily overdoses passes a threshold that may indicate a particularly risky substance may be present locally, a ‘spike alert’ is generated. Anyone who may be at risk of overdose should carry naloxone and always practice harm reduction. During a ‘spike alert’ the risk of overdose is particularly high.
Anyone who may be at risk of witnessing or experiencing an overdose can obtain naloxone free of charge by texting NARCANKIT to 21000.
Sign up for overdose spike alerts.
Greene County uses ODMAP data to monitor overdoses daily. When the volume of daily overdoses passes a threshold that may indicate a particularly risky substance may be present locally, a ‘spike alert’ is generated. Anyone who may be at risk of overdose should carry naloxone and always practice harm reduction. During a ‘spike alert’ the risk of overdose is particularly high.
Anyone who may be at risk of witnessing or experiencing an overdose can obtain naloxone free of charge by texting NARCANKIT to 21000.
Sign up for overdose spike alerts.
Overdose data are compiled by the Greene County Department of Health. For inquiries relating to this data, please contact Veronica Salvas at VSalvas@pcgus.com.
