Opioid Overdose Deaths in Illinois County Reach All Time High
Madison County has set a new record – but it’s a pretty unwanted one. According to official figures, there have been 92 opioid overdose deaths in the county so far in 2018, beating the previous high bar of 91 which was set in 2014. These figures have been released by St. Clair County coroner officials.
These numbers have accelerated since the summer. In July, officials estimated that the amount of opioid related deaths in Madison County would eventually total 96 by the end of 2018. In the first half of the year there were 48 reported opioid-related deaths leading to that approximation, but with two months of 2018 still remaining, the second half of the year has added 44 to that total. The final number of opioid-related deaths in Madison County could top 100 for the first time ever.
Heroin is No Longer the Main Cause of Opioid Overdose Deaths in Madison County
Officials have very little doubt as to the reason behind this increase. They – as they did upon releasing the midyear figures in July – blame not heroin, nor meth, nor prescription pills, but fentanyl.
It was reported in July that of the 25 fatal overdoses noted so far that year, 14 were related to fentanyl – that’s 56 percent of all opioid related overdose fatalities. By comparison, heroin was the cause of ALL opioid-related fatalities recorded in 2013, but had dropped to just 17 percent in 2016.
Fentanyl is an incredibly potent opioid that is fifty times more potent than heroin. It is so deadly that a mere few grains have the potential to be fatal. In addition, fentanyl – because it is synthetic and therefore cheaper to manufacture – is often added to other opioid-based medicines. People may be exposing themselves to this deadly fentanyl without even realizing it.
Fentanyl is Now Considered the Deadliest of all Opioid Related Medicines
This new problem opioid is not only a danger to those ingesting it on purpose. In Wisconsin in May this year, three police officers were rushed to the emergency room after they had accidentally come into contact with fentanyl.
“Two years ago, heroin was the leading cause of death. In two years, this is what’s happened to us,” said the Madison County Coroner Steve Nonn. “This fentanyl has just taken over the area.”
The entire United States saw over 72,000 overdose deaths related to opioids in 2017. If the figures obtained from Madison County are anything to go by, then that figure is likely to be eclipsed in 2018.
Struggling With Heroin Addiction and Looking for Help?
If you’re looking for help to finally come to grips with your heroin addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Advanced Rapid Detox today. We offer a comprehensive three day rapid heroin detox program that can allow you to withdraw from this potent drug while under sedation as well as the supervision of a board certified anesthesiologist. Give our team a call today at 800-603-1813 for more information.