PITTSBURGH — Pennsylvania is among a few states seeing a surge in drug overdose deaths, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Federal health officials are calling the situation an epidemic.
Conor McClelland, a local addict who was hooked on heroin for seven years, spoke with Channel 11 News on Tuesday about his struggle to stay clean after surviving at least seven overdoses.
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“For some reason, I would always end back up where I was, just five times worse,” he said.
McClelland said he started using heroin after being addicted to prescription painkillers, including oxycodone.
Deaths from opioid overdoses in Pennsylvania jumped 13 percent in one year, a record high, according to the CDC's end-of-the-year report for 2014.
“I think it's part of an ongoing trend of a very addictive drug that's being used in a way that's not completely safe,” Dr. Stephen Redd with the CDC said.
Pennsylvania saw a significant increase in drug overdose deaths from 2013 to 2014. Statewide 2,732 people died from heroin and opioid overdoses last year, according to the report. That’s up nearly 13 percent from 2013.
The CDC recommends doctors prescribe addictive painkillers, such as oxycodone, only as a last option and in the smallest amount possible in addition to offering treatment for those who are already addicted.
The government agency also recommended making the overdose-reversal drug known as Narcan more widely available.
WPXI
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