TIOGA, N.Y. (WENY) -- In 2018 Tioga County reported 8 deaths related to mix drug use and in 2019 they saw a spike of over half of that with 17 people reported dead.

"In the majority of the cases the main substance that was in the blood stream was fentanyl. Fentanyl is an extremely potent. It is a type of opioid that can be fatal," Kylie Holochak, Senior Public Health Educator in Tioga County N.Y.

Some cases also came back with tests showing meth and or heroin the system as well as fentanyl. Because of these drug overdoses, health officials want the public to know they are there top help them.

"There is no "one-size fits all" when it comes to recovery and it really is what's going to work for each individual. Here in Tioga County recovery services available through our office of mental hygiene, we have open access."

Even though the numbers were higher this year, health officials are not discouraged. They want to work harder and work to get those numbers lower every year.

"We are going to continue doing work, we have a lot of great work going on in our community and we just need to keep doing it, it really is a community effort to save lives and to hopefully slow these deaths down."

If you or someone you know is in need of health services in Tioga N.Y, you can click here.