Averill Park CSD Community,
You may have heard that the Rensselaer County Health Department issued an overdose spike alert this past weekend due to a cluster of both fatal and non-fatal overdoses across the County. While toxicology reports are still pending, the contaminated drug supply appears to primarily include cocaine and fentanyl, though we have been informed of County suspicion of fentanyl-contaminated marijuana / THC vape cartridges leading to a couple of fatal overdoses.
There is more research being done regarding this, but cannabis was the only substance found in those toxicology reports. This is quite alarming, especially for our youth. Many youth have a false sense of safety when it comes to vaping products, and we are seeing dramatic increases in contaminated and laced vaping products. Rensselaer County overdose deaths continue to rise and will likely surpass last year’s totals.
Click here for Rensselaer County Resources for Emotional Support which includes phone numbers for the Rensselaer County Recovery Help Line, RCDMH CRPA, Project COAST, and the Never Use alone hotline. We encourage you to reach out for more information and support as needed and to continue prevention talks with your child(ren).
APCSD Student Assistance Counselors are confidential resources at Algonquin Middle School and Averill Park High School:
- Alyssa Evans: 519-674-7120 / evansa@apcsd.org
- Kim Favro: 518-674-7028 / favrok@apcsd.org
Additional Links / Resources: