A new report found that 13 people died of a drug-related overdose in Pennsylvania each day last year.
According to a study titled the “Analysis of Overdose Deaths in Pennsylvania,” DEA agent Gary Tuggle said there were about 4,600 overdose deaths in the state in 2016, which was a 37 percent increase from the year before.
Fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances were found in 52 percent of the deaths.
The 2016 report was prepared in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Pharmacy Program Evaluation Research Unit (PERU) and Technical Assistance Center and provides expanded public health data collection and analysis than the previous reports for 2014 and 2015.
“In 2016, more than 4,600 Pennsylvanians died as a result of drug abuse, with thousands more affected by addiction, either personally, or through family, friends, and loved ones,” Tuggle said in a statement. “The expertise of PERU in the analysis and interpretation of public health data, which is outside of the traditional scope of law enforcement intelligence analysis, resulted in the creation of this comprehensive report that can be used to implement effective strategies to address the overdose crisis.”
