DC reports over 500 opioid-related deaths in 2023
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Opioid-related deaths have hit a new high in D.C., according to a report from the Office of The Chief Medical Examiner.
These deaths have been on the rise for several years in the District.
That report showed that in 2023, there were 518 opioid-related deaths in D.C. which is an average of 43 deaths per month.
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Starting in 2017 fentanyl, became the most prevalent drug contributing to drug overdoses in the District, according to the report from the Office of The Chief Medical Examiner. The report went on to show that in 2016, overdose deaths involving fentanyl was at 62% and in 2023 that number jumped to 96%.
The report which was released in March showed statistics on Opioid-related Fatal Overdoses from Jan. 1, 2017 to Dec. 31, 2023.
About 71% of all fatal opioid overdoses occurred among adults between the ages of 40 to 69. The report also showed opioid related deaths were mostly common among men and 84% of all deaths due to opioid use were among Black people.
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According to that report, from 2017 to 2023 overdoses were most common among people who live in D.C.’s Wards 5, 7 and 8.
In the last few years, D.C. has taken some steps to try to fight opioid use in the city including a pilot program last year where they put lifesaving tools like Narcan into vending machines.
According to D.C.’s Department of Behavioral Health, naloxone is available in every ward in the District.
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