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Medical Examiner: 30 Overdose Deaths So Far in July
Media contact(s):
Christopher Harris, (216) 443-7157; cbharris@cuyahogacounty.us
CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson, today issued a public health alert, informing the public that Cuyahoga County has suffered at least 15 suspected overdose deaths from Friday afternoon through early Tuesday morning. This follows up on nearly a dozen the previous weekend.
“With only just over one-third of the month behind us, overdose deaths are mounting quickly. Our concern for the public health and welfare compels us to issue these alerts and to provide as much information to the public as soon as possible. We do not have all the answers yet, but we will know more shortly. While we are continually on the lookout for new trends in street drugs, such as the carfentanil we saw in 2017, we have learned that the driving force behind overdose deaths in our community, fentanyl, needs no additional help. I caution everyone to be on the lookout and take all necessary safeguards to protect their lives.” Dr. Gilson warned.
Expedited forensic testing is underway to confirm which drug(s) may be involved in these cases and drawing on all resources, both internally and in conjunction with community partners, to determine the reasons behind this recent spike. This may lead to additional alerts. At the current rate, Cuyahoga County is expected to suffer at least more than 700 overdose deaths this year.
| Death Date Month | Death Date Day | Death Date Year | Sex | Age | Hispanic | Race | Residence City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 | 08 | 2022 | Male | 34 | No | White | Lakewood |
| 07 | 08 | 2022 | Male | 78 | No | Black | Cleveland |
| 07 | 08 | 2022 | Female | 30 | No | White | Cleveland |
| 07 | 09 | 2022 | Male | 30 | No | White | Cleveland |
| 07 | 09 | 2022 | Male | 60 | No | White | Middleburg Heights |
| 07 | 09 | 2022 | Male | 69 | No | Black | Cleveland |
| 07 | 09 | 2022 | Male | 45 | No | White | Richmond Heights |
| 07 | 10 | 2022 | Male | 40 | No | Black | Cleveland |
| 07 | 10 | 2022 | Female | 59 | No | White | North Royalton |
| 07 | 10 | 2022 | Male | 66 | No | Black | Cleveland |
| 07 | 11 | 2022 | Male | 31 | No | White | Cleveland |
| 07 | 11 | 2022 | Male | 58 | No | White | Cleveland |
| 07 | 11 | 2022 | Male | 31 | No | White | Cleveland |
| 07 | 11 | 2022 | Male | 41 | No | Black | Cleveland |
| 07 | 12 | 2022 | Male | 34 | No | White | Cleveland |
Short-term and long-term intervention is available. Furthermore, Naloxone and fentanyl test strips, will work with most fentanyl analogues. For a list of community walk-in clinics, please visit:
If you or anyone that you know is actively using or recovering from opioid addiction, contact Project DAWN for information at 216-778-5677. Eligible program participants, are given FREE Naloxone kits – the opioid reversing antidote.
Additionally, the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County provides a 24-hour crisis hotline at 216-623-6888.
