Cocaine Overdoses Surpass Fentanyl Deaths in Cuyahoga County, Raising Alarm
CLEVELAND, OH – Cocaine is now the leading cause of overdose deaths in Cuyahoga County, surpassing fentanyl for the first time in years, according to data analyzed by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office. The shift signals a risky trend and poses new challenges for prevention and treatment efforts, especially within the Black community, where disparities are expected to worsen.
For years, fentanyl has been the primary driver of the opioid crisis, but recent data reveals a stark change. While fentanyl remains a notable threat, cocaine-related fatalities have climbed, exceeding those linked to the potent synthetic opioid. This resurgence of cocaine use, coupled with its uniquely lethal effects – often causing sudden heart attacks or strokes – presents a critical public health concern. Unlike fentanyl, there is no readily available antidote for cocaine overdoses.
“we’re reverting back to a pre-opioid phase,” said Dr. Thomas Gilson, Medical Examiner for Cuyahoga County. “And that means we’re going to see another racial disparity develop like we did before.”
Gilson emphasized the urgency of directing prevention and treatment outreach specifically to Black communities, noting ancient difficulties in reaching these populations with effective messaging during the opioid epidemic.He also questioned whether existing strategies, largely focused on opioids, will be sufficient to address this evolving crisis.
Recent research from Case Western Reserve University underscores the dangers of using drugs alone,finding that approximately 75% of overdose victims in Cuyahoga County over a five-year period died while using alone. Gilson reiterated the importance of reminding people not to use drugs alone as a life-saving measure.
“The winds are changing,” Gilson stated. “If we want to really be effective, we need to start pivoting to these stimulants as enemy number one.”
Gilson recently highlighted the need for improved suicide prevention strategies,as suicide rates have also been on the rise in the county. The changing landscape of substance use and mental health demands a comprehensive and adaptable approach to public health intervention.
