Editor’s note: This story contains details of addiction and overdoses. If you are struggling with addiction contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline by calling 1-800-662-4357 or by going to https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

CHENANGO COUNTY – Xylazine, a highly addictive sedative, has increasingly been found to be a culprit of multiple overdoses in Chenango County, according to the Chenango County Medical Examiner Dr. Martin C. Masarech.

Since the beginning of 2023, the Chenango County Medical Examiner’s Office has reported 17 overdose deaths in the county. According to Masarech, the top three drugs found in his autopsy reports are fentanyl, methamphetamine and xylazine, respectively.

And, unlike an opioid overdose, which can be reversed by administering Narcan, xylazine does not have an antidote.

“Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier,” said Administrator of the U.S. Drug Force Administration Anne Milgram.

“Almost all of the overdose deaths we send for autopsy go through toxicology screening. And I can tell you that the major players are fentanyl and methamphetamine and then xylazine. But virtually no one dies from one substance; it’s usually a combination of several substances,” said Masarech.