City councilman warns of suspected bad batch of heroin after several overdoses and one death

Councilman George McGonigal reported to the county legislature that the Ithaca Police Department had issued a notice about a recent cluster of suspected overdoses: "in the past 2 weeks, 8 drug overdoses, probably heroin. 1 person has died," he said. McGonigal urged residents to alert constituents to available help and treatment services and asked the county to join in community outreach.

Legislators noted the seriousness of the cluster and referenced county health and human services efforts and the legislature's work on opioid responses. McGonigal said public messaging and access to treatment resources are priorities while law enforcement and public health monitor the situation.