(WENY) -- Across the nation, 4,766 people died from opioid-related overdoses in 2021. In Chemung County alone, there have been more than 200 reported overdoses with nearly 20 being fatal year to date in 2023.

"There may be other [deaths] out there, but that's about a nine-percent fatality rate, which is still way too high from my perspective," said Commissioner of Human Services for the Chemung County Department of Social Services, Brian Hart.

To help save lives, Chemung County is joining a national overdose prevention automated text messaging program called 'End OD'. The campaign uses an automated text messaging system to guide people to potentially life-saving resources.

"One of the hopes and goals of this is that community-wide people [will] start to find out about this service and sign up," said Hart.

To enroll, people can text 'ENDODNY' to 55753. To receive alerts, text 'ALERT' to 55753.

The program 'End OD' can help guide people on how to get Narcan, an opioid antidote that could save someone's life during an overdose.

Hart said 'End OD' is more than a text program for people who struggle with addiction.

"It's not necessarily for the person who's a heavy drug user. There certainly have been fatalities with first-time users as well. So, it's something that as a community we can make sure that we're aware that the issues are out there. Are they in our community? Absolutely," said Hart. He added, "Can we be more proactive in making sure that if they're in and around us, or we have loved ones that are using, that they have access to not only services but to test the drugs they may be choosing to use[?] [Yes]."

When people sign up, they'll also receive messages about how to access treatment and how to talk to loved ones about substance use and relapse.

For those who don't have a phone, Hart suggests people in Chemung County can go to CASA Trinity of Chemung County or Saint Joseph's Hospital. If people can't make it to either, he said they can go to the Arnot Ogden Medical Center emergency room.

If you or someone you know needs information about resources for treatment, they can download the 'Substance Abuse Regional Alliance' (SARA) app.

'EndOD is a service created and powered by the team at Partnership to End Addiction, a national nonprofit organization transforming the way addiction and substance abuse order is addressed in [the] U.S.'