Fentanyl continues to fuel drug overdoses in Cuyahoga County; over 400 overdose deaths reported through October

2022 monthly overdose deaths in Cuyahoga County

A screen capture from the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's report shows the number of recorded overdose deaths from Jan-Sept 2022.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cuyahoga County is projected to see more than 600 overdose drug deaths by the end of the year, with fentanyl continuing to be the leading cause behind the numbers, according to recent data from the office of the medical examiner.

As of Oct. 31, there were 419 overdose deaths. There could be more, as some suspected cases have not been ruled upon. The county had 668 overdoses last year and hit a mark of 727 in 2017.

“We’re losing valuable community members; people are losing their families, their friends,” said Scott Osiecki, the executive director of the Cuyahoga County Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Services Board.

Authorities said 358 people in the county have died from heroin, fentanyl or a combination of both through September. The total goes beyond 400 when cocaine is included, according to the medical examiner’s office.

So far this year, the month of June accounts for the most overdoses with a total of 67, barely beating out January with a total of 61. Nearly all of them involved fentanyl.

The medical examiner’s office in July issued a public health warning after the county recorded 30 overdoses in the first 11 days of the month; 15 people died within four days.

In August, there were 26 deaths involving cocaine; 17 involved the drug mixed with fentanyl, heroin or both.

Osiecki said the board does not condone illegal drug use, but it does caution residents in using preventative measures. It encourages people to use with others, carry Naloxone, a drug that can reverse the effects of opioids, and use strips to test drugs because fentanyl is appearing in different kinds of drugs, even resembling prescription pills, Osiecki said.

“Let’s say if an individual was going to use cocaine recreationally,” Osiecki said. “We want them to be able to test that drug to see if there’s fentanyl in there, so they can make an informed decision whether to take that or not. Often the very first time that somebody takes a drug with fentanyl, that may be the last time they do use it.”

The rate of Black residents dying from fentanyl is on the rise. So far this year, at least 35% of overdose deaths involving fentanyl involved Black residents. Osiecki said the county targets all communities, but it places more awareness ads in Black neighborhoods where reports of overdoses are high.

A $1.2 million grant through the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services will assist the board in installing five vending machines that contain test strips and other items for users and 447 emergency access Naloxone cabinets in different areas in the county.

“We don’t want anyone to use drugs, but we want you to make the best decisions, we want you to live, and we want you to get into treatment,” Osiecki said.

Anyone who needs treatment can call 216-623-6888. They can also utilize the Cuyahoga County Diversion Center which offers detox services and treatment for mental or substance abuse problems.

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