666 Overdose Deaths In Cuyahoga County In 2016

CLEVELAND, OH — The number of drug overdose deaths nearly doubled in Cuyahoga County between 2015 and 2016, according to a new report released by Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson. The majority of overdose deaths were the result of heroin and fentanyl use.

Last year was one of the bloodiest in Cuyahoga County history in terms of overdose deaths. In 2015, there were 370 overdose deaths. That number spiked to 666 overdose deaths in 2016. Of the 666 deaths, 557 were the result of opiate abuse, 399 the result of fentanyl.

The trends of 2016 have continued through 2017. Through April, 187 people have died from overdosing on heroin, fentanyl, or a combination of the two. The total overdose deaths through April are currently at 237.

You can view the full report for overdose deaths in 2016 in Cuyahoga County by clicking here.

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Gilson is set to appear before U.S. Senate on Ohio and the nation's evolving fentanyl crisis. The “Stopping the Shipment of Synthetic Opioids: Oversight of U.S. Strategy to Combat Illicit Drugs” hearing is scheduled for May 25, 2017 in Washington D.C.

Gilson will be joined by Ohio Senator Rob Portman, Delaware Senator Thomas Carper, Newtown, Ohio Police Chief Thomas Synan, Dr. Terry L. Horton, M.D.Chief, Division of Addiction Medicine and Medical Director, Project Engage, Christiana Care Health Services; and Michael Botticelli, executive director, Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine, Boston Medical Center.

In preparation for the hearing, Gilson said there have now been at least 203 fentanyl-related fatalities in 2017 in Cuyahoga County.

The opiate epidemic has spread out of Cleveland and into suburbs throughout the county. Police chiefs throughout Northeast Ohio have said battling the spread of the narcotics is their top priority. Lakewood Mayor Mike Summers has said his city is in a losing battle against opiates, and that more education is desperately needed.

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