As the dual forces of the pandemic and fentanyl drive up overdose deaths, bail reform is inflaming the crisis even further, according to Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler.
Since the pandemic, Orange County drug overdose deaths have climbed from 79 in 2019 to 102 in 2020 and 123 in 2021, according to data published by the New York State Department of Health.
This year’s number is on par to match that of last year, according to Hoovler.
Fentanyl was the cause of nine out of 10 overdose deaths this year, whereas three years ago, it only accounted for half of the overdose deaths in the county, according to Hoovler….