ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — Allegheny County announced Wednesday that accidental overdoses during 2020 rose 22% over the previous year.
Dr. Karl Williams, Allegheny County Chief Medical Examiner, reported that in 2020 there were 689 overdose deaths, reflecting an increase of 125 deaths over 564 in 2019.
“The epidemic of drug overdoses continues with a steady rise towards the peak year of 2017 when the widespread availability of Narcan resulted in a significant decline,” Williams said in a news release. “A particularly troubling trend is the increasing appearance of methamphetamine and newer synthetic analogues of fentanyl and the benzodiazepine group of agents.”
The most overdose deaths were reported in three ZIP codes, 15210 which includes the Pittsburgh, Mount Oliver and Baldwin areas; 15212 which includes the city, Reserve and Ross townships; and 15136 which includes McKees Rocks, Kennedy Township and Stowe Township, according to the release.
In 2020, 51% of all accidental deaths were drug deaths. Drug deaths also made up 27% of all morgue and issue cases during the year, the release states.
The data from the 2020 deaths indicate that more men died of drug-related overdoses (68%), with 75% of those deceased identified as white. The ages from 25 to 54 account for 74% of the deaths with white males the largest group, according to the release.
The most frequent drug found is fentanyl, with heroin and cocaine the second and third most common, being found in 91% of the cases, according to the report.
The departments of Health and Human Services also released a report showing that 2016 and 2017 had the two highest numbers of yearly accidental overdose deaths that the county has seen. Following those peaks, overdose deaths decreased by 41% from 2017 to 2018. Overdose deaths then increased by 16% from 2018 to 2019, and while 2020 numbers were still preliminary when the report was drafted, there were 311 total deaths in the first and second quarter of 2020, which is a 44% increase compared to the same time period in the previous year.
Black residents experienced a disproportionately high rate of accidental overdose deaths from the third quarter of 2018 through the second quarter of 2020. The rate of overdose deaths from the third quarter of 2019 through the second quarter of 2020 was more than two times greater than that of white residents, according to the report.
Opioids, usually in combination with other drugs, were involved in 87% of accidental overdose deaths in 2019. Fentanyl was present in 77% of cases. Since 2018, the percentage of deaths involving a combination of heroin and fentanyl has decreased, while the percentage of deaths involving fentanyl in combination with cocaine and methamphetamines has increased, the report states.
Approximately half of those who died of an overdose received publicly funded mental health treatment or substance use disorder treatment during the year prior to their deaths. Thirty percent had involvement with adult probation, and 19% were booked in the Allegheny County Jail at some point in the year prior to death, the report states.
“We’re disheartened to see an increase in opioid overdose deaths last year,” said Erin Dalton, Director of Human Services. “Especially concerning is the disproportionately high rate of overdose deaths in our Black community and the continued effects of fentanyl on our region. The impact of the pandemic on social isolation and ability to seek and provide safe treatment can be felt in these latest data.”
Those seeking support or help with issues related to Substance Use Disorder for themselves or others can call either PA Get Help at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or Pathway to Care & Recovery at 412-325-7550
For those who prefer to seek assistance in person, walk-in services are available 24/7 year-round at Pathway to Care & Recovery located at 326 Third Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.