Suspected Heroin Overdose Death In Cleveland Heights

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — A 33-year-old man died from a suspected heroin overdose on June 22, according to Cleveland Heights police.

Police were twice called to the man's home on Edgewood Road last week. On June 20, officers were asked to do a welfare check at the house. They found the 33-year-old unconscious on the bedroom floor.

Police gave the man several doses of Narcan, an anti-overdose drug. Cleveland Heights Fire then arrived and took the man to the hospital.

Two days later, on June 22, police were again asked to do a welfare check at the man's home. Police found the 33-year-old unconscious. There were no signs of life and the man was pronounced dead.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office was called to the scene and is investigating the cause of death, but police told Patch they suspect a heroin overdose killed the 33-year-old.

Overdose deaths began to spike in Cuyahoga County, again, in late May when seven people died in 48 hours. Dr. Thomas Gilson, the county medical examiner, suspected fentanyl, a heroin analogue, was behind the increase in deaths. Between May 20 and May 29, at least 18 people died from narcotics overdoses.

The opioid epidemic has touched every part of Cuyahoga County, with deaths recorded in suburbs like Cleveland Heights, Rocky River, Garfield Heights and Cleveland.

Project DAWN offers eligible participants free Naloxone kits, an opioid reversing antidote. If you know someone that is struggling with addiction, or recovering from opioid addiction, you should contact Project DAWN at 216-778-5677.

There are also free fentanyl testing strips available at these locations:

• Circle Health Services (12201 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106)
• Care Alliance Clinic (2916 Central Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115)