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County sees increase in drug-related deaths

Commercial-News - 3/31/2019

March 31-- Mar. 31--DANVILLE -- Drug-related overdose deaths is a significant issue that is still on the rise in Vermilion County.

"Our coroner Jane McFadden makes sure to list drugs as a contributing factor in deaths, which not all counties do," Douglas Toole, public health administrator at the Vermilion County Health Department, said.

"It gives a more accurate picture," he said.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health Death Statistics, the number of deaths from the overdose of any drug, opioid, heroin or opioid analgesic in Vermilion County has skyrocketed in the last five years.

In 2013, nine deaths were from an overdose of any drug, seven deaths were from an overdose of any opioid, two deaths were from a heroin overdose, and one death was from an overdose of opioid analgesics, such as tramadol, oxycodone, fentanyl and codeine.

In 2014, 16 deaths were from an overdose of any drug, 10 deaths were from an overdose of any opioid, eight deaths were from a heroin overdose, and three deaths were from an overdose of opioid analgesics.

In 2015, 15 deaths were from an overdose of any drug, nine deaths were from an overdose of any opioid, seven deaths were from a heroin overdose, and four deaths were from an overdose of opioid analgesics.

In 2016, 23 deaths were from an overdose of any drug, 15 deaths were from an overdose of any opioid, 10 deaths were from a heroin overdose, and 10 deaths were from an overdose of opioid analgesics.

In 2017, 25 deaths were from an overdose of any drug, 19 deaths were from an overdose of any opioid, 12 deaths were from a heroin overdose, and 14 deaths were from an overdose of opioid analgesics.

Based on the state data, Vermilion County has seen an increase of 177 percent in deaths due to any type of drug, 171 percent increase in deaths due to an overdose of any opioid, a 500 percent increase in heroin deaths and a 1,300 percent increase in deaths due to an overdose of opioid analgesics between 2013 and 2017.

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