County Coroner releases 2018 opioid statistics

DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen, M.D. has completed evaluation of the Opioid related deaths for 2018.

“The Opioid epidemic continues to escalate and destroy the lives of too many DuPage County residents,” Dr. Jorgensen said. “The influx of potent synthetic opiates including fentanyl has increased significantly, and now represents a higher percentage of illicit drug usage and cause of death than heroin alone.

“I and my office remain committed to continue our efforts to fight against this plague through education, support of drug treatment and the DuPage County Narcan® Program.”

2018

17 – Heroin alone

34 – Heroin/Fentanyl mixture

30 – Fentanyl alone

17 – Opioid-based prescription medications

Total deaths (illegal Drugs) = 81 (13% increase over totals in 2017)

Total deaths (all opioids) = 98 (3% increase over totals in 2017)

Past years:

2017

23 – Heroin alone

32 – Heroin/Fentanyl mixture

17 – Fentanyl alone

23 – Opioid-based prescription medications

Total deaths (illegal Drugs) = 72

Total deaths (all opioids) = 95

2016

36 – Heroin alone

26 – Heroin/Fentanyl mixture

16 – Fentanyl alone

17 – Opioid-based prescription medications

Total deaths (illegal Drugs) = 78

Total deaths (all opioids) = 95

2015

36 – Heroin alone

7 – Heroin/Fentanyl mixture

8 – Fentanyl alone

Total deaths – 51