Overdose Deaths Spike In Cuyahoga County: 9 Dead In 48 Hours

CLEVELAND — There have been nine fatal drug overdoses in Cuyahoga County in the past 48 hours, the medical examiner announced. Toxicology testing has not yet confirmed what drug, or drugs, is behind the spike in deaths.

Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson issued a public health alert Tuesday, warning Northeast Ohioans about the spike in fatal overdoses. He said his office is monitoring fatality trends during the COVID-19 shutdown.

“The Medical Examiner’s Office has seen 9 fatalities in last 48 hours which is measurably higher than what we have been seeing for the first four months of 2020. The interruption of drug use due to COVID-19 may mean users tolerance has dropped and therefore they are at higher risk of overdose and fatality,” said Gilson. “Additionally, any disruption of the illicit drug supply due to COVID-19 may mean that users are subject to a wide variety of other dangerous substances being substituted without their knowledge.”

Eight of the overdoses happened in Cleveland and the ninth happened in suburban Beachwood.

While it's not yet clear which narcotic is contributing to these nine deaths, Gilson's research show fentanyl is the most commonly abused, deadly drug in Northeast Ohio. Cuyahoga County residents can get free fentanyl test strips at the following locations:

• Circle Health Services (12201 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106 | 216.721.4010)
• Care Alliance Clinic (2916 Central Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115 | 216.535.9100)
• Care Alliance Clinic (1530 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland OH 44114 | 216.781.6724)

If you or anyone you know is using or recovering from opioid addiction, contact Project DAWN for information at 216-778-5677. Program participants are given free Naloxone kits — the opioid reversing antidote.

Additionally, the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County offers a 24-hour crisis hotline at 216-623-6888.