COVID partly responsible for increase in drug-related deaths in Pittsburgh area WPXI

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WASHINGTON, PA – It’s a trend that’s all too familiar. New data shows a significant increase in the number of overdose deaths in 2020 for Washington and Allegheny counties.

Washington County Coroner Tim Warco said there were 102 overdose deaths last year, 86 of them from fentanyl.

Those who suffer from addiction, use heroin, think about buying heroin, this is not the case. It’s mixed with homemade fentanyl, he said.

According to Warco, the 102 overdose deaths in 2020 represent the second highest total since taking office in 1992.

It is an addiction problem. We all know people who have addictions, I myself have them in my own family. It’s a daily battle with the demon, Warco said.

Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission officials said they discovered both the heroin and cocaine supply in the county containing fentanyl. They are still working to determine the role the pandemic – along with the closures and isolation – has played in the increase.

The increase in drug overdoses has spread to Allegheny County, which saw a 22% increase in 2020.

There were 689 overdose deaths last year, according to chief medical examiner Dr Karl Williams.

If it weren’t for Narcan and all the work the drug and alcohol programs do, those numbers would be much higher, Warco said.

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