As recently as 2007, Cuyahoga County reported just 40 heroin related deaths. By 2016, the death toll from overdoses tied to heroin and its synthetic cousin fentanyl rose to more than 500.
The upward trend continues: In February, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office counted 60 heroin and fentanyl related overdoes deaths.
The epidemic extends throughout Northeast Ohio and the entire state. It crosses all demographic and geographic lines.
Research indicates that the vast majority of those who end up dead from these illegal drugs began their addiction by using prescription opioid painkillers.
That is why today, a coalition of government and medical leaders announced a public education campaign aimed at raising awareness of the opioid crisis and the dangers of opioid prescriptions.
