November 8, 2021
Medical Examiner: Overdose Surge Kills 12 in 2 Days
CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson, today issued a public health alert, stating that Cuyahoga County suffered at least 12 suspected overdose deaths in a two-day period.
“This recent trend of clustered overdoses is alarming. There were an additional 4 on Thursday of last week. It remains to be seen what the cause is, but the public should be aware that there is a serious threat to their lives if they are using street drugs right now in Cuyahoga County.” Dr. Gilson warned.
Expedited forensic testing is underway to confirm which drug(s) may have caused the recent spike. 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 |
Gender | Age | Hispanic | Race | Residence City |
| 11 | 06 | 2021 | Female | 48 | No | Black | Cleveland |
| 11 | 06 | 2021 | Male | 46 | Yes | White | Cleveland |
| 11 | 06 | 2021 | Male | 46 | No | White | Cleveland |
| 11 | 06 | 2021 | Male | 47 | No | White | Euclid |
| 11 | 06 | 2021 | Female | 38 | Yes | White | Cleveland |
| 11 | 07 | 2021 | Female | 43 | No | White | Cleveland |
| 11 | 07 | 2021 | Female | 62 | No | White | Cleveland |
| 11 | 07 | 2021 | Male | 60 | No | Black | Cleveland |
| 11 | 07 | 2021 | Female | 48 | No | White | Cleveland |
| 11 | 07 | 2021 | Male | 78 | No | Black | Cleveland |
| 11 | 07 | 2021 | Female | 27 | No | White | Garfield Heights |
| 11 | 07 | 2021 | Female | 43 | 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:
https://www.testyourdrugscc.com
https://www.metrohealth.org/office-of-opioid-safety/project-dawn
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.