Contacts:
Christopher Harris: (216) 443-7157 or cbharris@cuyahogacounty.us

Overdose Death Total Surpasses Homicides, Suicides, and Traffic Accidents Combined

CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson today released the 2016 Final Drug Deaths Report, which he will present during tomorrow’s Senate Hearing: Stopping the Shipment of Synthetic Opioids: Oversight of U.S. Strategy to Combat Illicit Drugs. This report marks the highest annual fatality rate in Cuyahoga County’s history. Notable trends/data include:

• 666 Drug Overdose Deaths (includes prescription drugs) (370 in 2015)
• 591 Drug Overdose Deaths (heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, or a combination of the 3)
• 557 Opiate/Opioid Deaths
• 399 Fentanyl Deaths
  • 58 Fentanyl Deaths among African Americans (25 in 2015, 50 in 2017YTD)
• 54 Carfentanil Deaths.

Additionally, the report provides details on how the agency has been impacted by drug overdose cases.

• Post-mortem examinations increased by 16% (2204 examinations in 2016, 1914 examinations in 2015)
• Drug Chemistry Items Processed increased by 34% (14,577 items processed in 2016, 10,872 items processed in 2015)
  • Note: Items processed may include but is not limited to drugs, packaging, paraphernalia, tablets, etc.
• Toxicology testing increased by 8.6% (3565 submissions in 2016, 3283 submissions in 2015)
• Since February 2016, 18 different fentanyl analogues have been detected (12 in 2016, 6 in 2017)

For additional information and to view the complete report, please visit: http://medicalexaminer.cuyahogacounty.us/pdf_medicalexaminer/en-US/2016-CCMEO-FinalDrugReport.pdf