According to Huchul, To date, there are 150 confirmed opioid-related deaths in Erie County and 74% of those deaths involved fentanyl.”

In 2014, over 27,000 lives were lost to heroin and opioids in the United States, and reports indicate that number increased in 2015 and this year.

The largest number of deaths came from the abuse of prescription opioids, but the number of heroin deaths, including heroin laced with fentanyl, has increased dramatically over the last several years.

The Department of Justice has designated September 19-23, 2016 as Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week. The fight against this deadly epidemic involves a three-pronged approach: prevention; enforcement; and treatment. The goal of enforcement is to reduce the supply of these deadly substances.

U.S. Attorney William Hochul, Jr.

U.S. Attorney Hochul encourages all in our community to:

• Have meaningful conversations with your family about the dangers of heroin and opioid abuse, it can happen to anyone.
• Get involved in activities in the community against heroin and opioids.
• Contact law enforcement if you suspect drug-related activity in your neighborhood.
• If you have prescription opioids in your home, make sure they are safely locked away.

To further raise awareness about this epidemic, on Thursday, September 22, 2016, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with the Better Business Bureau of Upstate NY to present “Opiates in the Workplace.”

This two-hour event is free and open to all businesses in WNY. Employers can learn how to recognize the signs of addiction and ways to assist employees.

For more information and to register, go to http://bbbupstateny.org/opiates-workplace-registration/.

U.S. Attorney William Hochul, Jr.

BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney William Hochul, Jr. will hold a news conference Monday afternoon in Buffalo to begin National Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week.

The Department of Justice has designated September 19-23, 2016 as Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week to bring awareness to the drug epidemic, which Hochul’s office says continues to devastate families across the country, including here in Western New York.

Hochul will be joined by a representative of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and Lakeshore Behavioral Health.

During today’s event, Hochul will also release details of “Opiates in the Workplace” – an upcoming program designed for local businesses to learn how to recognize the signs of addiction and ways to assist employees.