ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY)-- Fentanyl continues to be a deadly problem across America, including right here in Elmira. The Elmira Police department recently put out a reminder to the community, that the lethal substance is being used to lace many other drugs and they are seeing this more frequently.

WENY News wanted to investigate this further and stopped by police headquarters to speak to the Chief. They laid out product after product they have seized laced with fentanyl right here in the city.  We also rode along with the Police Chief through what they call the hot spots where they see a lot of drug activity.

"Now we're seeing it being placed into narcotics and drugs that some not some but most people that utilize these types of drugs would never think to worry about," Elmira Police Chief Anthony Alvernaz said.

In the past five years, Alvernaz explains they have seen an increase in overdose deaths and he's concerned with the increased danger fentanyl is causing. He says these dealers and manufacturers want to gain more clients through a stronger product. 

"The modality of that business model is to gain more clients through a stronger product so whether or not people using marijuana are asking for it, it's being given," Alvernaz said.

The Chief has a message, he wants the public to be cautious and safe. He decided to shed light on the issue on social media letting people know there's a good chance the drugs they're using are laced with fentanyl.

"The majority of this deadly substance is coming from China, and it is extremely cheap. it seems to get cheaper by the day so I think it is the source for the major drug distribution organizations and each case is different.  You can get fentanyl, meth it comes from all over the place Canada, Mexico, locally made, it's kind of running the gamut," Alvernaz said. 

Casa Trinity of Chemung County in Elmira is a substance abuse treatment center offering services to outpatient and inpatient users who are seeking help. Emily Sindoni, Lead Peer Recovery Specialist, and Melinda Hester, Community Outreach and Engagement Supervisor echo the same concerns that the Police Chief has.

"Fentanyl has pushed its way into not only opioids, but it's in marijuana, in cocaine, it's in meth so it's really just being put in everything it's pretty scary it's very scary," Hester said.

"We'll have clients that typically think they are only using meth or they think they are only smoking pot and then their testing positive for fentanyl too and they have no idea that that was even in their substance so, we are seeing a higher rate of fentanyl in their urine screens,"  Sindoni said.

The Chief explains the smallest amount of fentanyl can be deadly no matter how experienced a drug user you are.

WENY News is going to continue to follow this story, and the impact it's having on people here in the community.