With the northwest Bronx gravely impacted by the city’s opioid crisis, experts from the law enforcement, legislative and medical fields convened at Williamsbridge Oval Park to dispense information on opioid’s impact on communities.

The awareness workshop event was organized by state Senator Jamaal Bailey, who’s district covers Norwood. The community is policed by the 52nd Precinct, one of the busier stationhouses dealing with the narcotic outbreak. The area of Fordham stands among the top five locations where use of the opioid drug is prevalent throughout the city. The issue has not gone unnoticed by the precinct, which has attempted to put away drug pushers who peddle the narcotic. So far, officers have made 130 arrests related to opioid distribution. Statistics logged by the city Health Department show 2800 people have died from a drug overdose between 2000 and 2016.

“Opioid abuse has plagued our community for a long time. I am glad to see measures being taken in order to address this crucial issue in the legislature. Ensuring that residents are informed on the different resources available is a priority in order to finally put an end to this epidemic,” said Bailey in a statement.

Dr. Tiffany Lu, a physician at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, told an audience that opioid has made a major comeback. The narcotic is meant to treat pain, but can be habit forming. The gateway drug often leads users to try even more potent drugs such as fentanyl. Its popularity has risen over the last four years, thanks to its power in boosting the effect of a high. In 2016 there were 1,268 fatal drug overdoses recorded by the city Health Department with half of them related to fentanyl. Some nicknames associated with fentanyl include Apacahe, China Girl, and Goodfella.

These days, to prevent further deaths, the use of suboxone has been made widely available to reverse the effects of a drug overdose.

Additional reporting by Miriam Quinones. 

Editor’s Note: NYPD  Neighborhood Coordination Officers from the 52nd Precinct’s Sector B will be hosting an Opioid Awareness and Certification event on May 3 at the Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.