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The Maryland Department of Health has released data on drug and alcohol related deaths across the state and by county for the first six months of 2018.
Rose Velazquez, [email protected]

Drug overdoses killed 72,000 Americans last year, a 10% increase over 2016 and the largest number of drug victims in US history. The preliminary findings of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reflect the public health crisis related to the opioid epidemic and the spread of particularly dangerous synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. In October […](Photo: Moussa81 / iStock)

New data from the Maryland Department of Health show that fentanyl-related deaths in the state, including on the Lower Coast, have continued to climb "at an alarming rate."

The data, published in a recent report with a press release, illustrate trends in unintentional deaths from drug and alcohol intoxication from January to June 2018, comparing them to the same time period. previous years.

As in the rest of the state, the data indicate that the number of heroin-related deaths on the Lower Coast is globally decreasing, while the number of deaths related to fentanyl has increased from 20 in the same month in 2017 to 24 in 2018.

According to the statement, the state recorded a 12% increase in the total number of deaths due to unintentional intoxication compared to 2017, with fentanyl playing a role in nearly 80% of those deaths.

The number of deaths related to fentanyl has exceeded that related to heroin for the first time in 2017 and, compared to the first six months of this year, it has increased by about 30% this year, according to the data. recently published.

"We know that fentanyl is so powerful that a small amount can be deadly," Clay Stamp, executive director of the Opiate Operations Command Center, said in the statement. "And it is so important, more than ever, to continue our fight against the opioid crisis to educate Marylanders about the dangers of this illicit drug."

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On the Lower Coast, data show that Wicomico County recorded the largest decrease in overdose deaths, from 19 to 17 alcohol and drug-related deaths, 15 to 14 related deaths. opioids, 12 to 6 deaths related to heroin and 12 to 11 years. deaths related to fentanyl.

But after not seeing a single death related to prescription opioids in 2017, the county has already seen one in 2018, as well as eight cocaine-related deaths so far this year, compared with seven in total. Last year.

At the statewide, cocaine-related deaths increased by 47% between the first six months of 2016 and 2017 and by more than 50% in 2018 compared to 2017, according to the statement. Cocaine-related deaths now exceed heroin-related deaths in the state, with opioids playing a role in 90% of deaths.

However, deaths related to prescription opioids across the state have dropped by 7% in the first six months of 2018 compared to the same period last year , says the release. Deaths related to heroin also went from 587 to 469 and carfentanil from 46 to one.

The report states that Somerset County recorded the largest increase in overdose deaths, with the number of drug and alcohol-related deaths increasing from two to five, with opioid-related deaths ranging from one to five. , heroin-related deaths from one to three and fentanyl from one to five.

READ MORE: Drug Addiction Epidemic: Maryland Takes a New Approach to Combat Heroin and Opioid Abuse

The data also show that Somerset has registered up to now five cocaine-related deaths in 2018, up from two in total last year, but so far the county has experienced the same number of deaths. deaths related to prescription opioids.

In Worcester County, the number of deaths from drug and alcohol intoxication also increased from 11 to 13 years, although opioid-related deaths increased from nine to eight and deaths from to the heroine of six to four.

However, the number of fentanyl-related deaths in the county has gone from seven to eight and the county has experienced two prescription opioid-related deaths this year, compared to one overall last year .

According to the data, the number of cocaine-related deaths has not increased in Worcester, with three deaths this year, compared to seven in total last year.

"Substance abuse affects families and individuals of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds," said Robert R. Neall, secretary of the Maryland Department of Health, in the statement. "The Maryland Department of Health, along with our national and local partners, will continue to enhance and expand treatment and prevention options for all Marylanders." If you or someone you know one of your entourage needs help, know that help is available 24/7. press 1. "

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