Report: Drug Overdoses in Pennsylvania Rise 20 Percent

The prescription and illegal drug problem in Pennsylvania is only getting worse, according to a new report from the Pennsylvania State Coroners Association.

The 2014 Report on Overdose Death Statistics shows that approximately 20 percent more victims per county have died from the use of either illegal or prescription drugs than in 2013. According to the study compiled from toxicology reports submitted by 54 of the 67 Pa. counties, 2,489 individuals were killed from overdosing either on illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine or prescription drugs such as methadone or buprenorphine. That equals approximately seven deaths a day for the year.

“If, initial data for 2015 is any indication, the number of deaths will continue to increase,” the report says. “Not known are the number of persons who overdose but survive.”

According to the report, the age of the victims range from 4 months to 85 years of age, with the slight majority of deaths found in the 41 to 50 years old age group.

The typical overdose victim is white, male, aged 41 to 50 and single. The report found that in 2014, 83 percent of the overdose victims were white, 12 percent were black, four percent were Hispanic and one percent were of another race. Sixty-five percent were men.

The drug-related deaths occur steadily throughout the year, according to the report, with a slight increase in May. Overdoses generally happen on the weekends and Wednesday, the study says.

The southeastern region of Pennsylvania, including the five-county Philadelphia area, had the highest rate, 27.7 deaths per 100,000 people:

• Philadelphia: 611 deaths
• Bucks: 205 deaths
• Delaware: 149 deaths
• Chester: 82 deaths

Montgomery County did not contribute to the report.