N.E. Ohio sees drop in opioid deaths

The number of deaths attributed to heroin and other opioids dropped in recent months in northeast Ohio in what medical and law enforcement officials say is the first sign of optimism that the fight against the deadly opioid epidemic might be working (Source: “Have opioid deaths in Northeast Ohio finally crested? Evidence suggests yes,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 22, 2018).

The decline comes after eight years where deaths climbed dramatically, caused by the wide availability of pain pills, heroin abuse and the emergence of synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

The drop in deaths began near the end of 2017, according to medical examiner records from the three of the hardest hit counties in Northeast Ohio.

The first four months of 2018 saw 137 deaths in northeast Ohio, compared to 192 through during the same period in 2017 and 139 in 2016.