Cheektowaga sees a spike in heroin overdoses, two resulted in deaths

Cheektowaga Police say there has been an increase in heroin overdoses just over the last few days.

Police say the number of overdoses has remained relatively constant until they saw a recent jump in cases, resulting in two deaths over the weekend.

"Lately it's been on the rise in the last week or so," said Assistant Police Chief Jim Speyer. "Probably a batch of heroin that people are taking that is very potent."

According to officers, a 21-year-old man was found dead of an apparent overdose on Saturday in his home on Orchard Place. His family tried to save him using CPR but was unsuccessful.

The following day, officials say a 52-year-old man was found dead in his basement on Ludwig Avenue. It appears he died after snorting a powder form of an opiate.

Several other cases were reported over the weekend and last week, but were able to be saved using Narcan.

"It's a real concern. People are dying too frequently from this drug," Speyer said.

Police suspect a more potent batch of the drug is being sold on the streets.

Police say there have been over 150 overdoses in Cheektowaga this year - a total of 14 of these have been fatal.

Officers report 94 "saves" with Narcan so far this year.