Health / Public Health
Cleveland-area medical examiner issues alert after 40 suspected overdose deaths in five weeks
Most preliminary drug screenings in the deaths were positive for cocaine and about half also showed fentanyl, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office said.
Source-checked story: attributed primary-source and published reporting; no on-location reporting.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner issued a public health alert Nov. 6 after 40 suspected overdose deaths over a five-week period in October and November, Ideastream Public Media and Spectrum News reported.
Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson said 17 of those who died were Black. A majority of preliminary drug screenings in the deaths were positive for cocaine, and about half also included fentanyl, the office said.
The county, which includes Cleveland, has seen a downward trend in fentanyl-related overdose deaths in recent years, and cocaine now drives overdose deaths there, according to Gilson’s office. “While things have improved, it is important to remember that we still see drug overdoses, especially involving cocaine and our Black population,” Gilson said. “Prevention and treatment of drug use work, and are as important as ever.”
The office urged people who use drugs, and those who know them, to make a harm reduction plan, recognize symptoms of cocaine overdose such as chest pain, confusion and seizures, keep naloxone and fentanyl test strips on hand and call 911 in an emergency. Ohio’s Good Samaritan Law provides certain protections from minor drug charges for people who seek help, Ideastream reported. The county’s ADAMHS crisis hotline is 216-623-6888.
What we know / what we don't
What we know
- Most preliminary drug screenings in the deaths were positive for cocaine and about half also showed fentanyl, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office said.
What we don't know
- Toxicology results are preliminary.
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