The Franklin County Coroner’s Office is releasing its preliminary overdose death statistics for the first quarter of 2019.
From January 1 to March 31, 2019 there were 120 overdose deaths in Franklin County. This is a preliminary number as not all cases have been finalized. This is an 8% increase in overdose deaths from first quarter of 2018 compared to first quarter of 2019. We continue to see opiates and especially fentanyl as the driving factors for these deaths. Opiate-related deaths accounted for 90% of overdose deaths for first quarter 2019 which is an increase of 7% from the first quarter of 2018.
Fentanyl-related overdose deaths accounted for 76% of first quarter 2019 which is an 8.5% increase from first quarter 2018 deaths. Carfentanil-related overdose deaths had a slight increase from 4% first quarter compared to 2.7% in the first quarter 2018. Cocaine-related deaths increased in first quarter 2019 compared to 2018 but methamphetamine and ethanol-related deaths decreased.
- Cocaine: 42.5 % vs 39.4%
- Methamphetamines: 5.8% vs 10.3%
- Ethanol: 9% vs 12.6%
Decedents between 30-39 years of age accounted for 32% of the overdose deaths first quarter of 2019.
The majority of deaths were males; 72% male vs. 28% female.
Deaths among Caucasians were again the majority of overdose deaths this period totaling 66% which is a decrease from 2018 at 77%. 28% of the deaths were in the African American population for first quarter 2019 which is an increase from 2018 by 8%. The Hispanic population saw a slight increase in overdose deaths from 2% in 2018 to 3% in 2019.
The top six zip codes with the highest number of overdose deaths for first quarter 2019 were 43204, 43205, 43211, 43213, 43219 and 43223.
Please see attached charts. In addition, all information will be on our website within the next few weeks.
Please remember, both Franklin County Public Health and Columbus Public Health have information on how to obtain naloxone and fentanyl testing strips as well as resources for treatment.
https://myfcph.org/health-systems-planning/ep/opiate-crisis/
https://www.columbus.gov/publichealth/programs/Alcohol-and-Drug-Abuse/Opiate-Crisis-Information/
If you are looking for recovery homes please visit
www.corrn.net.
Dr. Anahi M. Ortiz
Franklin County Coroner
Phone: (614)525-5290