Press Release

Wednesday, February 5, 2019

Coroner Richard Jorgensen, MD releases 2019 Opioid Statistics

DuPage County Coroner, Richard Jorgensen MD, has completed evaluation of the Opioid related deaths for 2019. Heroin related deaths have fallen again in 2019. Beginning in 2015 the influx of illicit fentanyl has changed the nature of this epidemic. The number of deaths related to fentanyl alone once again has increased as well as heroin mixed with fentanyl.

2019

13 = Heroin alone

42 = Heroin/Fentanyl mixture

33 = Fentanyl alone

8 = Opioid based Prescription Medications

Total deaths (illegal Drugs) = 88 (8.6% increase over totals in 2018)

Total deaths (all opioids) = 96 (2% decrease over totals in 2018)

There also has been a shift in the ages of the deceased. There has been a decrease in the teens and twenty’s and an increase in each decade after.

2013 2019

46 DEATHS 96 DEATHS

MALES: 39 (84%) 77 (80%)

FEMALES: 7 (16%) 19 (20%)

AGE RANGE: 15-64 19-67

15-19: 5 (10.8%) 1 (1%)

20-29: 21 (45.6%) 25 (26%)

30-39: 9 (19.5%) 31 (32.3%)

40-49: 4 (8.7%) 16 (16.6%)

50-59: 5 (10.8%) 15 (15.6%)

60-64: 2 (4.3%) 8 (8.3%)

Past Years:

2015

36 = Heroin alone

7 = Heroin/Fentanyl mixture

8 = Fentanyl alone

Total deaths=51

2016

36 = Heroin alone

26 = Heroin/Fentanyl mixture

16 = Fentanyl alone

17 = Opioid based Prescription Medications

Total deaths (illegal Drugs) = 78

Total deaths (all opioids) = 95

2017

23 = Heroin alone

32 = Heroin/Fentanyl mixture

17 = Fentanyl alone

23 =Opioid based Prescription Medications

Total deaths (illegal Drugs) = 72

Total deaths (all opioids) = 95

2018

17 = Heroin alone

34 = Heroin/Fentanyl mixture

30 = Fentanyl alone

17 = Opioid based Prescription Medications

Total deaths (illegal Drugs) = 81 (13% increase over totals in 2017)

Total deaths (all opioids) = 98 (3% increase over totals in 2017)

Dr. Jorgensen stated that, “the Opioid epidemic continues to destroy the lives of too many DuPage County residents. The influx of potent synthetic opiates including fentanyl has increased significantly, and now represents a higher percentage of illicit drug usage and cause of death than heroin alone. I and my office remain committed to continue our efforts to fight against this plague through education, support of drug treatment and the DuPage County Narcan Program”. Jorgensen further warned, "The statistics are difficult to compare across the state due to differences in testing labs and what drugs are being tested. I applaud our County Board for providing funds to use the best lab in the country and to perform the sophisticated testing necessary to identify the many types of fentanyl that are on being used."

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