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With $1.6 million in federal funds, Monroe County is looking to establish an Opioid Fatality Review Team in its effort to provide care for individuals with substance use disorders.
The county’s share comes from nearly $11.5 million, from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, which targets assistance in Upstate New York communities. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand made the announcement Monday.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal grants to local projects dedicated to preventing and reducing crime, advancing equity and fairness, assisting victims, and upholding the rule of law.
“From Buffalo to Rochester, the opioid epidemic has taken the lives of far too many New Yorkers,” Schumer said. “We must make sure that communities have the federal support they need to help individuals with substance use disorders and their families.”
He said fighting the opioid crisis needs an “all-of-the-above” approach—cutting off the flow of drugs, aiding law enforcement, more interdiction, prevention, treatment and recovery.
“No one should have to fight the battle against substance use disorders alone, Gillibrand said.
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said the funds will allow the county’s IMPACT team to create a multidisciplinary, data-driven effort with an Opioid Fatality Review Team. The team will work to analyze overdose deaths, identify gaps, and recommend improved intervention and treatment strategies, Bello said.
“Like so many other communities across New York, Monroe County is continuously looking for new ways to address the overdose crisis that is impacting families and neighborhoods in our area,” Bello said. “We will now be able to add another innovative tool to our arsenal with the Monroe County Opioid Fatality Review Team.”
Launched in 2022, the Improving Addiction Coordination Team responds to the scene of an overdose within 48 hours, offering support and guidance. The group also does street outreach and connects with individuals to help them find a path to recovery.
On Tuesday, the Monroe County medical examiner released last year’s overdose death data. In 2023, there were 512 overdose deaths, largely driven by a rise in fatalities involving a combination of substances, including opioids, cocaine and alcohol. Nearly 73 percent of victims had at least two of these substances present, while 23.6 percent had three of these substances in their system.
“These numbers aren’t just statistics—they represent lives lost, families grieving, and communities struggling with the devastating impact of substance use disorder,” said Marielena Vélez de Brown M.D., Monroe County commissioner of public health. “Each death is a tragedy and every one of these lives mattered. This crisis requires both compassion and action.
“By providing tools like fentanyl and xylazine test strips and naloxone,supporting treatment and recovery, expanding partnerships that target prevention efforts aimed at young people and disproportionately affected communities, and fostering understanding rather than stigma, we can save lives and give people the chance to recover,” she added.
Overdose deaths—totaling 335—that involved both opioids and cocaine saw a 32 percent increase from 253 deaths in 2022. Xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary sedative not approved for human use, was present in approximately 14 percent of opioid and cocaine overdose deaths.
The report also details the disparities in how the crisis affects different populations. Forty percent of overdose deaths were Black or African-American residents. Nearly three times as many men as women died from overdoses. Further, overdoses among individuals above the age of 60 are on the rise. The median age of overdose victims is now at 50 years old, the report states.
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name.
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None, nada, zero mention of the Rochester Urban Education failure. Dropouts don’t do drugs. Dropouts are the backbone of society. Dropouts contribute. Dropouts are all gainfully employed. Education (Even K-12) is overrated. Are the politician that blind?! That dumb that they can’t seem to connect the education dots?! They are indeed. Semper Fi.