Overdose Deaths Hit Deadly High In January In Cuyahoga County

January was one of the deadliest overdose months in Cuyahoga County history, according to the county's medical examiner. At least 58 people died from apparent drug overdoses.

Dr. Thomas Gilson, Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner, warned residents that his lab has seen an increase in seized carfentanil over the past month. The synthetic opioid is typically used as a sedative for large animals. It is extremely potent and unsafe for human use.

Carfentanil is nearly impossibly to detect visually and is often mixed with other drugs, or disguised as prescription tablets, Gilson said. A surge in its use could have driven a spike in overdose deaths locally.

“The re-appearance of carfentanil in the local illicit drug supply is alarming. This is a very lethal drug and anyone using illicit or diverted drugs needs to be aware of the possibility of being exposed to it,” Gilson said. “Having another person in the vicinity to call 911 and/or administer naloxone can be life-saving.”

It's too early to tell how many of last month's overdose deaths are carfentanil related, Gilson said. Toxicology tests are still pending.

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However, Gilson's office recently released its preliminary report for 2018 overdose deaths. The report was a glimmer of hope, with overdose deaths appearing to plateau, or even slow in some areas.

Carfentanil use appeared to be down significantly in 2018, with only 24 related overdose deaths last year. That's down from 191 carfentanil-related overdose deaths in 2017.

If carfentanil use is spiking again, it could lead to a sustained increase in overdose deaths in Cuyahoga County.

Photo from Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office