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
