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2017 fentanyl-related overdoses highest in Westmoreland County's history

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — In the grips of the nationwide opioid epidemic, accidental overdoses in Westmoreland County have increased 777 percent since 2002, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner's Office.

In its annual report released Wednesday, the coroner’s office revealed that out of 273 accidental deaths in 2017, 193 were from drug and alcohol overdoses. In 2002, the number was 22.

Fentanyl contributed to 141 of the 193 overdoses -- the highest amount in Westmoreland County’s history. Fentanyl-related overdoses increased by 38 percent over 2016 and by 463 percent since 2015.

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"Fentanyl was found in more cases than ever. It increased 463% in two years, however the heroin has dropped in one year by 58%. Were seeing less and less heroin but more and more fentanyl," said Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha.

Fifty-five overdoses were heroin-related (a 53% decrease over 2016) and cocaine contributed to 48, according to the report.

Toxicology tests found a combination of multiple drugs in the systems of 176 of the 193 people who died of overdoses in 2017.

Bacha said they discovered 12 different strands of fentanyl.

The potency is so unknown it's such a crapshoot when someone takes these drugs you don't know what the potency is and I think that's the most significant part," Bacha said.

When it comes to the drug epidemic, Bacha says they're seeing a noticeable decline.

"Towards the end of 2017 we did see a noticeable decrease the last couple months and so far the first couple months to 2018, we're also seeing that decrease... (but, too) I'm cautiously optimistic things are starting to work," he said.

CLICK HERE for the full report from the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office.

 

Cox Media Group

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