ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) — Opioid abuse cases continue to rise in Tompkins County. 

That’s according to Frank Kruppa, commissioner of the Whole Health Department. 

Between January and June, 17 opioid overdose deaths were reported. It’s the same number of OD deaths in the entire year of 2019. 

FULL INTERVIEW: Frank Kruppa on Ithaca’s Morning News