CT on pace to set new record for drug deaths in 2019

>> Click through to see projected stats for 2019 from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner less The total number of accidental intoxication deaths projected for 2019 based on this 6 month data is slightly higher than those of 2018. >> Click through to see projected stats for 2019 from the Office of ... more The total number of accidental intoxication deaths projected for 2019 based on this 6 month data is slightly higher than those of 2018. Photo: David Maialetti Photo: David Maialetti Image 1 of / 41 Caption Close CT on pace to set new record for drug deaths in 2019 1 / 41 Back to Gallery

A total of 544 people died in Connecticut as a result of accidental drug intoxication in the first six months of the year, according to the state’s chief medical examiner.

The statistic released Friday means Connecticut is projected to see 1,088 overdose deaths by the end of the year, which would exceed last year’s total of 1,017 and the record of 1,038 from 2017, according to the medical examiner, Dr. James Gill.

Opioids were involved in 94 percent of the deaths, with fentanyl the most common, according to a summary prepared by Gill’s office.

“Fentanyl continues to be the most common drug detected (in over 75 percent of all accidental drug intoxication deaths),” Gill said in an email summarizing the results. “Deaths involving cocaine also continue to increase.”

Gill said that xylazine, a tranquilizer used by veterinarians, was detected in 26 of the deaths involving fentanyl.

“This is likely being added locally as an adulterant,” he said.

Heroin, morphine and/or codeine were involved in a total of 200 overdose deaths. The vast majority of those — 193 deaths — involved heroin.

While fatal accidental drug overdoses involving fentanyl continue to increase in Connecticut, the overall number of people dying appears to be on the decline, according to data released March 1, 2019 by the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. >>Click through to see town-by-town stats on the number of residents who died of an accidental drug overdose in 2017 and 2018.

less While fatal accidental drug overdoses involving fentanyl continue to increase in Connecticut, the overall number of people dying appears to be on the decline, according to data released March 1, 2019 by the ... more Photo: File Photo: File Image 1 of / 71 Caption Close Accidental drug overdose deaths in CT 2017, 2018 1 / 71 Back to Gallery

Cocaine was involved in 195 deaths. Amphetamines and/or methamphetamines were involved in 26 deaths, and MDMA was present in three cases.

A spreadsheet on the website of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner includes details of each case, including town, age of the deceased and a brief description of the circumstances.

The youngest person killed by accidental overdose was an 18-year-old who died at his home Feb. 18 as a result of an overdose of fentanyl and hydroxyzine, an antihistamine.

The oldest was a 71-year-old man who was found dead in his car April 28 in Stratford after overdosing on a combination of cocaine, cocaethylene, alcohol and clonazepam.

The state has seen a sharp rise in drug intoxication deaths in recent years as the opioid epidemic intensified.

The total of 357 such deaths in 2012 increased steadily for five years — 495 in 2013, 568 in 2014, 729 in 2015, 917 in 2016, 1,038 in 2017 — before decreasing slightly to 1,017 deaths last year.

Connecticut deaths: Calenda... by Helen Bennett on Scribd