Fatal Overdose In Lakewood, Police Investigating

LAKEWOOD, OH — A 26-year-old Lakewood man has died of a suspected heroin overdose, a Lakewood police spokesperson confirmed.

The man was found dead in his Madison Ave. apartment on Saturday. Police believe the man died of a heroin overdose, though the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's office will provide an official cause of death, a spokesperson told Patch on Tuesday.

Lakewood police said they have seen four overdoses in the past week and an overall increase in overdoses since the new coronavirus pandemic began. That trend mirrors a similar spike in overdoses in the county.

Last week, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's office issued a public health alert, warning of a surge in overdoses and overdose deaths in Cuyahoga County. Nine people were killed by narcotics in 48 hours — eight Cleveland residents and one Beachwood resident, according to the medical examiner's office.

While it's unclear if a specific drug drove the spike in overdoses, fentanyl has consistently been the deadliest in 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.