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State Releases 2019 First Quarter Fatal Overdose Data

June 11th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

The Maryland Department of Health and Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC) have released the 2019 first quarter reports today, which include preliminary data for unintentional drug and alcohol-related intoxication deaths through the first quarter of 2019, and separately, performance measures by state agencies and Maryland’s 24 opioid intervention teams (OITs), details about opioid-related spending, and information regarding Maryland’s fight against the heroin and opioid epidemic.

 

During this three-month period, which includes January through March 2019, there were 577 total unintentional intoxication deaths, a 15 percent decrease as compared to the same period in 2018. Of the total, 515 (89 percent) were opioid-related deaths, primarily attributable to fentanyl. Opioid-related deaths declined by 14.3 percent.

 

Heroin-related deaths continued to decline, decreasing 23 percent in the first quarter of 2019 compared with the same period in 2018. Prescription opioid-related deaths declined by 16 percent in the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.  

 

“We’ve seen a decrease in deaths during this first quarter and continue to work diligently to combat this epidemic,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Robert R. Neall. “Treatment and prevention options are available 24/7 for those who want it. They can dial 211 and press 1 to find assistance. Our goal is to get support to everyone who needs help as soon as possible."  

 

Fentanyl continues to be the deadliest substance, with 474 fentanyl-related deaths occurring in the first quarter. This represents an 8 percent decrease over the same time period last year. Fentanyl was involved in 92 percent of opioid-related deaths during this period.

 

Cocaine-related deaths, the third most prevalent drug involved with overdose deaths, declined as well. Comparing the period of January through March 2018 and 2019, the number of cocaine-related deaths decreased 21 percent. The increase in cocaine-related deaths over the last several years can be attributed to cocaine combined with opioids, which were found in 89 percent of cocaine-related deaths so far in 2019.

One Response to “State Releases 2019 First Quarter Fatal Overdose Data”

  1. June 11, 2019 at 9:15 pm, Kathy said:

    SO SAD

    Reply

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