Cocaine

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there is another public health crisis taking a toll on American families: overdose deaths from the synthetic drug fentanyl, an often-deadly opioid derivative.

Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson issued a public health alert after the county suffered at least 69 suspected overdose deaths in March.

Newtown Chief: Fentanyl now as prevalent as meth, cocaine

OHIO — The state documented a high number of drug overdose deaths in the first half of 2020, outpacing 2019 by nearly 20%. That's according to a new report from Harm Reduction Ohio, a Granville-based nonprofit which consists of a group of epidemiologists and other health professionals.

Ohio is on track to have more overdose deaths in 2020 than in 2019. Local courts and organizations are working to help people recover without penalty.

Study is among the first to examine methods of preventing opioid use disorder

Concord; U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray Announces Results In Fight Against The Opioid Crisis Two Years After Launch Of Operation S.O.S.

Story Highlights • Hospitalizations of people with COVID-19 plus addiction were at 40.1% vs. 30.1% without addiction. • Deaths of those with COVID-19 and addiction were at 9.6% compared to 6.6% for those without addiction. • Types of substance use disorders studied : opioid, tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine.