ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) — Overdose deaths are up this year in Tompkins County.  

New data from the medical examiner’s office shows that drug-related overdose deaths and emergency calls in the first six months this year are up significantly compared to the last five years.

Health officials say one reason is the ongoing prevalence of fentanyl and xylazine.

Elsewhere in the southern tier, Steuben County health officials say their current numbers are already close to totals from all of 2022.