Increase in cocaine-related opioid-related deaths in Washtenaw County

WASHTENAW COUNTY – Cocaine-related opioid-related deaths more than doubled in Washtenaw County in eight months this year compared to the entire year of 2017.

Between January and August, 55 residents died as a result of an opioid overdose, according to figures from the Washtenaw County Health Department. Nearly half involved cocaine, while between 2013 and 2017, the result remained less than a quarter, the WCHD said.

Cocaine accounted for almost 50% of deaths this year, compared with 20% in 2017.

And almost all of them involved fentanyl, a "synthetic opioid that can be 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin" mixed with cocaine.

"Fentanyl can cause immediate respiratory depression and death," according to the Department of Health. Only 3 milligrams can kill an average adult man, he said.

"Deaths from fentanyl alone or associated with other drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, are increasing," said Jeff Jentzen, Washtenaw County Chief Medical Examiner, in a statement. Press. "Cocaine seems to be gaining popularity again.People who consume heroin or cocaine may knowingly or unconsciously ingest lethal doses of fentanyl."

The number of deaths in August increased by 33% compared to the first eight months of 2017, the report says.

"We are keeping a close eye on the local opioid crisis," health official Jimena Loveluck said in a press release. "We are informing the public of this increase so residents and professionals are better able to understand the risks and respond to this new information.

Data from previous years are available on the County Health Department website.