Possible Overdose Death In Avon Lake Under Investigation: Police

AVON LAKE, OH — The death of a 30-year-old man in Avon Lake is being investigated as a possible drug overdose, according to police reports.

The 30-year-old was in arrest when police found him on Aug. 16. He was taken to the Avon Cleveland Clinic, where he was pronounced dead.

Narcotics-related overdose deaths have been on the rise both in Ohio and in Lorain County. Between January and April 2021, there was a 20-percent increase in reported opioid overdoses, the Lorain County Public Health Department announced. There has also been an increase in fentanyl seized in Lorain County during that same time period.

Based on the county health department's data, an opioid-related overdose death happens every 2.5 days in Lorain County.

Free Narcan rescue kits are available through Lorain County Public Health. Residents can have kits mailed to them, and receive training on how to use the kits, by submitting a request to the health department online.

Or, residents can visit Lorain County Public Health, 9880 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to get Narcan training and pick up a Narcan rescue kit. Call 440-322-6367 to make an appointment after hours.

Last year, Lorain County Public Health distributed 932 Narcan rescue kits to residents. Reports indicate those kits saved the lives of 140 people. That's slightly more people than were killed by opioids in 2020 (138 in Lorain County).