DEA Discloses Startling Numbers On Overdose Deaths In Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Disturbing numbers have been released on overdose deaths in Pennsylvania.
The number of drug-related deaths in the Commonwealth last year jumped nearly 40% over the previous year, according to recent figures from the Drug Enforcement Administration.
"The total overdose death numbers for Pennsylvania was 4,642," said Patrick Trainor, a special agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Philadelphia. "That's roughly a 37% increase over the previous year."
Trainor says drug-related deaths in most of the five local counties were up a lot.
"Their numbers have increased and are of concern," he said. "The only county where we really didn't see much of an increase was in Delaware County, which was roughly under 2%.
He says the number of deaths in Philadelphia from such substances as cocaine, fentayl and heroin was triple the county's murder rate.