Drug overdoses killed 32 people in Franklin County in 2022; and more from annual report

The Franklin County Overdose Task Force has released its annual report for 2022.

Prepared by the University of Pittsburgh's School of Pharmacy, the report sheds light on the impact of the substance abuse epidemic on the county.

Here are five highlights from the report.

1. Thirty-two people died of drug overdoses in Franklin County in 2022.

That's a rate of 21 deaths per 100,000 people.

After the number of fatal overdoses stayed just below 30 in the three prior years, 2022's number was the highest since 2018 (also 32). The number of fatal overdoses peaked at 46 in 2016 — a big jump from 25 the year before and just 11 in 2014 — then fell to 35 in 2017.

There have been six fatal overdoses so far in 2023, District Attorney Matt Fogal said in an email accompanying the report.

2. Franklin fares better than many Pa. counties.

In 2020, 29 people died of overdoses — or 19 out of every 100,000 people. That statistic puts Franklin County in the bottom tier of counties which had 24 or fewer overdoses per 100,000 people that year. Adams, Huntingdon, Bedford and Juniata counties are among the 26 counties in that group.

The majority of Pennsylvania's counties had at least 25 reported overdoses per 100,000 people. The group includes Fulton, Cumberland, York and Dauphin counties. Montour County in northeastern Pennsylvania had the highest overdose rate, with 28 deaths — or 153 per 100,000 people. The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas were also in the top five for their overdose rates; Philadelphia had 77 deaths per 100,000 people (1,218 total overdoses) and Allegheny County had 57 overdose deaths per 100,000 people (690 total overdoses).

Statewide, there were an average of 38.8 fatal overdoses per 100,000 from 2017 to 2021. In Franklin County, the average was 19.8.

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3. Fentanyl causes the most overdoses

A substance that is 100 times more potent than morphine and often cut into other drugs, according to the DEA, fentanyl has made headlines in recent years for its role in the opioid epidemic.

In Franklin County, fentanyl turned up in toxicology reports for around 70% of overdose victims every year since 2017, the earliest year included in the study. The number spiked to about 90% in 2020, but was back under 80% in 2022 and 2021.

Heroin was involved in a smaller portion of overdoses the last two years, especially in 2021 when less than 10% of overdose victims had heroin in their systems.

Prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, has turned up on the toxicology reports of about 40% of overdose victims each year going back to 2017. The percentage was slightly lower the past three years.

The study highlighted overdose deaths related to the stimulants cocaine, methamphetamine and amphetamine. Of the 184 overdose deaths reported from 2017 to 2022, 14 involved stimulants without the presence of an opioid/opiate and 71 involved a combination of a stimulant and opioid/opiate.

4. How often do first responders administer naloxone?

EMS and law enforcement personnel have administered naloxone 291 times between 2018 and December 2022. However, the real number may be higher because reporting is voluntary.

Also known as the brand name Narcan, naloxone is a medication that reverses an opioid or opiate overdose. Anyone can access the drug at most pharmacies; the Pennsylvania Department of Health has a standing order, which is essentially a prescription allowing the general public to access the medication.

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5. Franklin County offers help to people who encounter police in connection with their struggle with drug addiction.

For those who are criminally charged, Franklin County offers the Good Wolf treatment court. Defendants who qualify make regular court appearances where their progress in treatment and development of positive life skills is monitored.

The treatment court enrolled 104 people from 2017 to 2022 (not including active participants).

Only 23, about 30%, completed the program, though. On average, it took 755 days for successful participants to complete the five-phase program. While about 71% moved on to phase two, less than half made it to phase four.

Exactly half of the 104 participants were between the ages of 25 to 34.

Heroin was the drug of choice for 60% of participants.

Franklin County also has the Get Back Up program. Individuals suffering from substance abuse disorder may be referred to the program by police who encounter them through an investigation, after the person's overdose, or some other way. A person suffering from addiction can also present themselves at a police department.

Participants meet with a recovery liaison, then undergo a clinical assessment to determine what kind of treatment is best for them. They receive help to access their treatment program, including getting over insurance barriers, then get regular encouragement as they move forward.

From 2018 to 2022, 4,115 people were connected with Get Back Up. The number of people rose every year, and that is expected to continue.

Amber South can be reached at asouth@publicopinionnews.com.