At least 446 victims have died in 2016

CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson today announced Cuyahoga County suffered at least 42 confirmed fatal overdoses in the month of October due to heroin, fentanyl, or a combination of the two.

October residential demographics are as follow:

20– City of Cleveland Residents

22 – Suburban Residents

Bedford Heights, Broadview Heights (2), East Cleveland, Euclid, Highland Heights, Lakewood, Lyndhurst, Mayfield Heights,  North Olmsted (2), Parma (6), and 5 out of county residents – Akron, Eastlake, Richfield, and Warren (2).

Thus far, October’s current results do not indicate any fatalities due to carfentanil, a large animal sedative, 100 times more deadly than fentanyl and 2500 times more deadly than heroin.

16 cases from October are pending further toxicology testing, so it is possible October’s overdose total could increase. Since November 1^st, there have been at least 16 fatalities. To date, at least 446 victims have died in 2016.

For additional information and to view the complete report, please visit: http://medicalexaminer.cuyahogacounty.us/pdf_medicalexaminer/en-US/110716-CCMEOHeroinFentanylUpdate-Rvsd.pdf