JAMESTOWN – The heroin epidemic is continuing to make its presence known in all corners of Western New York, including here in southern Chautauqua County. Since the start of 2016 there has been a countless number of residents overdosing on the drug, resulting in death for several individuals.
Jamestown police chief Harry Snellings said his department is well aware of the rise in overdoses, and local police are doing what they can to track down the source.
“We took some steps on Friday to do a background investigation and identifying a potential source,” Snellings said. “We think there is some bad heroin that is going out there, but that’s part of the battle that we deal with – whether it’s here or in Buffalo – it’s what we’ve been dealing with for the past month. I think Buffalo had 23 deaths within a 10-day period.”
Chief Snellings also said that despite the effort to identify and arrest those who are dealing the drug in our area, the problem won’t likely go away until the community is able to tackle the treatment side of the problem.
“I think this is something we’ve discussed for the last four years. We need to address the treatment side of it,” Snellings said, adding, “Until we do, we’re going to continue talking about this, we’re going to continue seeing overdoses and we’re going to continue seeing members of the community get involved with this drug or other opiates.”
Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings
SNELLINGS NOT SUPPORTIVE OF THE ITHACA PLAN
One of the proposals brought forward by the city of Ithaca last week in an effort to reduce heroin overdoses and deaths is the creation of a safe site for heroin users, who can go to a designated location to use the drug and would have health officials standing by to administer narcan should an overdose take place. The project has been called “The Ithaca Plan” and has been met with significant criticism across the state.
Chief Snellings said The Ithaca Plan is something he would not support should it ever be proposed in Jamestown.
“I would never support that initiative,” Snellings said. “I have a lot of concerns with it. For one thing, heroin is illegal. I think if you put some kind of government sanctioned drug house out there you’re going to attract more users and in turn, you’re going to attract more drug dealers and it’s going to increase your crime. And what happens if someone overdoses in that facility? Is the local government liable, which in turn means the taxpayers are liable. I would never support that initiative I guess is the best way for me to say it.”
In a recent article in the Jamestown Post-Journal, mayor Sam Teresi also said there is no effort locally to look further at the Ithaca Plan to see if it can be implemented in our area.
One of the latest victims of the drug epidemic is 26 year-old Alex Foulk, who lived just outside of the city limits in Jamestown and who died last Friday at his home.
Friends of Alex will hold a candlelight vigil in his honor at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in front of the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena. The purpose of the event is to remember and celebrate the life of Alex.
We need facilites to help people and there addictions. New medication is coming available we may need to look into this.
Thank god! I do want my girls who are 9 years old growing up to think its ok to shoot up because there a safe place to do it and won’t die!
You wish drugs on your daughters? It is not ok to shoot up even if there is a place to do it safely. I have seen heroin and other drugs ravage families and tear friendships apart. I have witnessed people do incredible stupid things looking for a fix. If you think you can do it safely one place you will think you can do it other places. the plan to make a facility to watch druggies will not help them. it may even worsen the problem and in turn worsen Jamestown.
I have to say I am shocked that there is even such a plan as “The Ithica Plan”. In other words we are in favor of giving a place for you to do your drugs? A government promoted place? What is this world coming to?
And this Mom who is only glad that her 9 year olds know there is a place to shoot up and be safe doing it? In my opinion there are serious issues in that home. She ought to be teaching them how to respect their bodies, their minds and to avoid all kinds of illegal drugs. Wow.