14 Fatal Overdoses In 5 Days In Cuyahoga County: Medical Examiner

LAKEWOOD, OH — A 61-year-old Lakewood man overdosed and died on August 2. His death was the first of 14 fatal overdoses in the county over a five day stretch. Four people have died in just the past 24 hours, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner said.

“This is a concerning trend. The county is working with our local and federal partners to analyze it and identify its source,” said Dr. Thomas Gilson, Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner. “We are issuing this alert to make the public aware and advise caution, as well as encourage addicted individuals to seek help.”

No drugs were identified as the source of the overdoses. Gilson and his partners are still testing to figure out what may have caused the deaths.

The majority of the victims are 60 or older. The overdoses have been split evenly between the east and west side of the county. The majority of the dead are from Cleveland, with the exception of the Lakewood man, three people from Euclid, and a 30-year-old woman from Garfield Heights.

The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County provides a 24-hour crisis hotline at 216-623-6888. Anyone recovering from an opioid addiction can also contact Project DAWN at 216-778-5677. Eligible participants can receive naxolone, the opioid reversing antidote.

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