CT On Pace For 1,000+ Overdose Deaths In 2017

Connecticut for the first time in history is on pace to have 1,000 fatal overdoses by the end of the year. From January to June there were a total of 539 overdoses that weren't purely caused by alcohol. The vast majority involve some kind of opioid.

At the current rate there will be 1,078 overdoses by year's end. That would represent an increase of 18 percent from 917 in 2016. There were 729 in 2015. Overdose deaths have skyrocketed from 357 in 2012.

"The vast majority of these continue to be due to the abuse of opioids" said Chief Medical Examiner Dr. James Gill. "Fentanyl has surpassed heroin as the most common opioid of abuse."

Fentanyl was involved in 322 deadly overdoses from January to June and is projected to be involved in 644 by year's end. That is an increase from 483 in 2016 and 189 in 2015. The powerful synthetic opioid was involved in 14 overdoses in 2012.

Homicides Down Last Year

The OCME certified 87 deaths as homicides last year compared to 129 in 2015. The number represents a 33 percent decrease in homicides and is the lowest number on record for the past 25 years.

Homicides caused by firearms decreased from 103 to 52 between 2015 and 2016. The overall trend in the state is leading toward a decreased number of firearm-related homicides.

OCME Attempts To Get Accreditation

The Office of The Chief Medical Examiner is attempting to correct one more deficiency before September in order to regain its accreditation. The office has corrected three deficiencies.

The office needs at least two more medical examiners in order to limit autopsies to 325 per medical examiner per year.

"Until the final State budget is passed, we do not know if we will get these needed positions," Gill said.