The pandemic is taking its toll on those struggling with addiction, with nationwide spikes in overdoses and another troubling trend in Suffolk.

Barbara Sena's 26-year-old son Michael died of a drug overdose in 2016 after a six-year battle with addiction.

"He was a young, athletic and everyone looked at him and said, 'Oh, he's not a drug addict,'" says Sena, of Deer Park. "When I was looking for the resources, there really weren't any."

Sena has become an advocate in the fight against the opioid epidemic. She and drug treatment expert Steve Chassman say things had been improving in recent years until the coronavirus pandemic.

"In January 2020, a lot of us were doing a victory lap that the overdose rates in Suffolk and Nassau counties had decreased for the first time in three years," says Steve Chassman, of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.

Data from the medical examiner's offices show there's been a 43% increase in fatal overdoses in Suffolk and a 40% increase in fatal overdoses in Nassau over the last 10 months.

It's part of a national trend. A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory urged all public health departments to raise awareness about the need for the opioid-reversing drug naloxone. It states that synthetic opioids, including manufactured fentanyl, appear to be the primary cause of the increase in overdose deaths.

Suffolk Legislator Sarah Anker is chair of Suffolk County's Heroin and Opiate Advisory Panel, which recently put out a 164-page report. She says the opioid-reversing drug naloxone has saved lives in Suffolk.

"Because of Narcan, we've been able to save this year alone 910 saves," says Anker.

Anker says COVID-19 has restricted overall funding, but they're hoping to get federal and state resources.

Meanwhile, Sena says she will continue to fight for more money for more drug prevention.

"Losing somebody, especially a child, is horrific. Losing anyone is horrific, especially in this time," says Sena.

The Long Island Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence has a 24-hour number if you, or someone you know, needs help for addiction: 631-979-1700 or at LICADD.org.