Chester County Accidental Overdose Deaths — Data is from OverdoseFreePa

Pennsylvania:

• According to the PA Department of Health, the prescription opioid and heroin overdose epidemic is the worst public health crisis in Pennsylvania in almost a generation. There were 5,063 accidental and undetermined overdose deaths in 2020 compared to 4,458 in 2019 – nearly a 14% increase. • Pennsylvania has been among the states hardest hit by the opioid epidemic. It had one of the highest rates of death due to drug overdose in 2018, with 65%, a total of 2,866 fatalities, involving opioids. • There were also sharp increases in certain racial and age groups in the state. The rate of overdose deaths among Black residents increased by 63% in 2020 compared to 2018 – the largest of any racial group.

The rate of overdose deaths for white residents increased by 5% from 2018 to 2020 and 31% for all additional races. Men also showed a higher rate of drug overdose deaths compared to women. • People in the 35 to 44 age group had the highest rate of overdose deaths. There were considerable increases in the youngest (0-14) and oldest (65+) age groups as well.

Conclusion: We are unfortunately witnessing the unprecedented and deadly convergence of the opioid/drug epidemic and the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Our federal, state, and local leaders as well as our heroic but strained healthcare workers are to be commended for their hard work, dedication and commitment to addressing these very trying and difficult challenges.

Much more work still needs to be done in order to address the concurrent growing opioid/ drug epidemic and Covid pandemic, however; I am grateful and want to thank our elected leaders, medical personnel, law enforcement, and faith-based organizations for their steadfast resolve in displaying Herculean efforts in the daily struggle to help and heal others.

Matt Baker is a former senior level federal official who served as Region 3 Director of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Mr. Baker also served previously as a 13 term member of the Pa. House of Representatives and was Chairman of the Health Committee.

• There were 718 accidental overdose deaths in Chester County from 2015 – 2021

• In 2020 there were 107 accidental overdose deaths compared to 97 in 2019. This was the first increase in accidental deaths following a decrease in three consecutive years, from a high of 144 in 2017. (Preliminary data available for 2021 is 86 deaths)

• Fentanyl, heroin and cocaine were the most frequently identified substances in decedents for 2015-2021.

On an annual basis the most frequent substances identified varied some, although fentanyl was in the top three for all years, as exemplified below:

2015 – Heroin, Alcohol and Fentanyl

2016 – Fentanyl, Heroin, Alprazolam

2017 – Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine

2018 – Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine

2019 – Fentanyl, Cocaine, Heroin

2020 – Fentanyl, Methamphetamine and Cocaine

(2021 – Fentanyl, Cocaine, Ethanol)

• The largest percentage of decedents have consistently been white (84%), males (74%) from 2015 – 2021. (White males represented 70% of the deaths in 2021)

• People in the 25-44 age group had the highest rate of overdose deaths.

** Data for 2021 is still preliminary

Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder, please see the article on pages 18 - 19 “Getting Help in Chester County.”